Hanover family survives carbon monoxide scare

HANOVER — It was a close call for a Hanover family after their carbon monoxide detector was not working.

Hanover Fire got a 911 call that a funny odor was coming from a family's electric stove.

But once firefighters arrived, their gas detection meters went off.

They quickly realized it was not the oven, but discovered the furnace was not working right.

It was giving off carbon monoxide and the family was feeling the effects.

They were dizzy and described flu-like symptoms to paramedics. Firefighters say it's not wonder the CO levels were off the charges.

“The firefighters carry multi-gas meters and they started picking up increased levels of CO,"  said Hanover Deputy Fire Chief Jason Cavallaro.

He says levels were "upwards of 300 ppm.” The safe zone should be zero.

Firefighters returned later and installed new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as part of a safety check program in town.

They advise people to check their detector's batteries twice a year, and have your heating system serviced every year to help keep your family safe.

That's basic and should be done twice a year.

As you'll see, making sure detectors like this work can be a matter of life and death.

Firefighters also say not to warm your car up inside the garage. Carbon monoxide can seep into your house.

And now that winter is here, be sure hyour heat exhaust pipe is free of snow that can cause carbon monoxide to back up into your home.

Those tips plus making sure you get your heating system serviced will help keep your family safe this winter.

Cox Media Group