You probably don't want to worry about your family being exposed to carbon monoxide, but it's important to be careful when running your heating system this winter. However, it's imperative to be cautious, since a whopping 20,000 to 30,000 people get sick from in-home carbon monoxide poisoning each year, and about 500 people die from it annually. Luckily, following the tips below can help you protect yourself and your family from this silent, odorless killer.

1. Install Enough Carbon Monoxide Detectors

You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector, which you can install on the wall of your home and can count on to sound an alarm in the event that there are carbon monoxide levels in your home, from any store that sells smoke detectors or heating equipment. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of not installing enough of these detectors in the home. Make sure that you install one in each bedroom of your home, particularly if you have a larger house or if the bedrooms are on multiple levels.

2. Have Your Heating System Inspected Annually

To ensure that your heating system is operating properly, it is imperative to have it checked out once per year by a qualified heating and air conditioning technician. Then, you can have your system cleaned and inspected to help prevent carbon monoxide leakage. Plus, you'll be ensuring that your system will work as efficiently as possible, which will help keep you and your family safe all winter long and can help reduce your heating bills.

3. Seek Medical Attention if Needed

If you notice that you are feeling any of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as if you feel light-headed, dizzy or nauseous, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. If you or any of your family members are feeling these symptoms, there's a chance that there is a slow carbon monoxide leak that might not be picked up by your carbon monoxide detectors. If you see a physician, you can get the medical treatment that you need. Then, you can hire an HVAC professional to find out what is causing the carbon monoxide in your home.

Unfortunately, carbon monoxide poisoning can be a major problem during the winter months. If you want to make every effort to keep you and your family members safe this winter, follow these tips. Then, you should be able to rest easily without anything to worry about. If you're looking for a heating service in your area, contact Biggerstaff Plumbing Heating & Air.