Avoid deadly carbon monoxide levels in your home: Keep furnace vents, meters clear of snow

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- We Energies is reminding customers to avoid the dangers of snow and ice buildup on exhaust vents and natural gas meters. These areas often are overlooked when buried under several inches of snow.

Snow and ice accumulation on furnace vents can lead to potentially deadly carbon monoxide levels in homes. A blocked vent also can affect the performance of the furnace, which may not run properly or at all when the intake or exhaust vent is blocked.

Even if snow totals in your area are not high enough to reach your vents, We Energies says blowing and drifting snow is enough to create a problem.

Accumulated snow and ice can also damage natural gas meters, which could lead to potentially dangerous gas leaks.

"A lot of times, it's best just to do it by hand or maybe even take a broom to clear the snow out. What we see sometimes, is people using their snowplow or their shovels and they're digging around here, and they do it a little too abruptly. And before you know they hit this meter and cause some damage," said Cathy Schulze, We Energies spokesperson.

Keeping the meter clear also allows We Energies employees to properly service the meter in case of emergency and keeps it visible to snowplows when those meters are in close proximity to alleys or other areas subject to plowing.

To avoid problems:

The furnace exhaust for some older homes can be through the chimney. In that case, We Energies says you should check that area as well for snow buildup.

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