ROYAL OAK, Mich., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mother Nature
continues to batter Michigan residents with snow, ice and cold winter
temperatures. Consumers Energy reminds customers to keep safety in mind by
making sure their gas meters, as well as furnace fresh air intakes and
exhaust pipes, are free of ice and snow.
When snow is allowed to build up around these areas it can become
compacted and freeze. This can cause damage that interferes with proper
operation of the natural gas meter and furnace. Customers are advised to
carefully remove snow by hand and not use power snow removal equipment
around these areas.
While most fresh air intake valves and exhaust pipes are generally
located on the sides of buildings, in manufactured or mobile homes they are
most often located on the roof. Some customers in manufactured or mobile
homes have experienced furnace problems because of snow and ice buildup.
"It's important that customers keep meters, fresh air vents and exhaust
pipes clear, particularly after the heavy snowfalls and ice buildup our
state has experienced," said Gary VanOchten, operations manager. "Not only
can snow and ice buildup cause furnaces and appliances such as water
heaters to stop operating, it can also cause potentially life-threatening
carbon monoxide poisoning to develop."
Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless
and can be produced when appliances aren't operating or venting properly.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic the flu and include
headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and stinging or
burning of the eyes.
The best defense against carbon monoxide poisoning is to install an
audible alarm that will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are
present.
To help ensure the safety of meter readers, customers are also asked to
keep their sidewalks, stairways and gate areas free of snow and ice
buildup. A clear path to the meter and a meter that is clearly visible
without a build- up of snow and ice will help make meters easier to read
and reduce the need for estimating energy use.
Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation,
provides natural gas and electric utility to nearly 6.5 million of
Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
SOURCE Consumers Energy
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Related links:
http://www.consumersenergy.com
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html /
CONTACT:
Terry DeDoes, +1-517-374-2159, or Debra Dodd
+1-248-433-5781, both of Consumers Energy
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