Welcome to Health Haven with Jazmyne!  I would like to start off by sending my continued thoughts and prayers to all those affected by Hurricane Helene.  In previous newsletters, I have discussed the steps that you can take to maintain a green & healthy home, and the past editions have briefly discussed how to clean and prevent mold in your home.  This newsletter will focus on the importance of maintaining safe practices in your home while getting through this cold weather.

As temperatures have begun to drop, we know that some people are preparing to use their heating resources.  Whether it is a wood-burning stove, a generator or some other fuel-burning resource, it is vital to know how to keep yourself and others safe when using these appliances.  Using these heat sources incorrectly can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and other deadly hazards, especially if these sources suffered damage from the hurricane.   The tips I will be sharing with you today come from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) as a response to Hurricane Helene.

Wood-Burning Stoves

When you use wood-burning stoves correctly, it should create very little smoke, so it is important to ensure that these appliances are installed properly.  If you regularly see or smell smoke, there may be an issue with the appliance.  Here are some safety tips for reducing smoke inside and outside of your home.

• What NOT to burn: household trash (including cardboard, plastics, foam, magazine, boxes and wrappers), coated wood, painted wood, pressure-treated wood, driftwood, plywood, particle board, wood with any glue on it, wet or green wood, rotted wood, mold wood, asbestos, rubber, manure or animal remains.
• What you CAN burn: dry, split, well-seasoned wood (properly seasoned wood is darker, weighs less and sounds hollow when you hit it against other wood), branches, sticks, or limbs from fallen trees that are off the ground. NOT wet or green wood.
• Use starters such as newspapers, dry kindling or all-natural fire starters. NOT gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter.
• Keep flammable items far away such as curtains, furniture, newspapers, books or paper. You should remove the ashes regularly into a covered, metal container that should be stored outdoors on a nonflammable source. 
• Keep the fire hot and the door closed. Keep the door of your wood-burning stove closed unless you are loading or stoking the fire.  Having the door open can you expose you to carbon monoxide which could lead to death.
• Keep fire extinguishers on hand or a fire blanket, or plenty of sand or water in case of a fire.
  
  

Generators and Fuel-Burning Heat Sources:

According to NCDHHS, people have died before from carbon monoxide poisoning due to running generators inside their home after a hurricane.  High levels of carbon monoxide can become deadly within minutes, and they build up faster in enclosed spaces such as garages, cars, homes, or campers.  Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, so if it is being produced you would not be aware.  If you start experiencing dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, confusion or fainting when using these appliances, you should get fresh air outdoors immediately and seek medical attention ASAP.  If you are using a generator or a fuel-burning source to heat your home this winter, here are some precautions that you need to be aware of:

• Do not:
  • use gas powered tools or engines in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces.
  • Use charcoal grills or propane stoves indoors, even in a fireplace.
  • Use kitchen stove or other gas appliances to heat your home.
  • Run/start your car, truck or vehicle in the garage even if the garage door is open.
• Do:
  • Keep homes well-ventilated.
  • Read and follow all instructions for using your fuel-burning appliances.
    
    

I hope that this information has been helpful, and if you would like to read more you can visit here. Thank you, stay safe and healthy!