Snow Drifts + Furnace Vents = Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Image NorthWestern Energy in Havre, Montana.

Snow Drifts + Furnace Vents = Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
This is important! As the snow falls and builds up and the wind blows and drifts that can block vents & cause carbon monoxide poisoning , be sure to check your furnace and plumbing vents OUTSIDE to make certain they didn't get blocked with snow in order to keep your family safe & warm.
Please see the information below from some local Mantana sources :
From: NorthWestern Energy in Havre, Montana.

· The following is a message from a Havre customer illustrates the critical importance of ensuring all furnace vents are clear of snow and ice during the winter months. Thank you for writing.
Havre has had its share of snowstorms this year, and a couple weeks ago, we were hit hard again. This time the snow drifted pretty high. I've always been very safety conscience and after one night of particularly heavy snow with drifts, I called my mom and told her to check all of her vents (roof/side) and she told me they were all fine. I'm notorious for making sure my family and friends all know what to look for and to make sure they're safe when the weather takes a turn.
My house has the side exhaust, and I think often times these are overlooked, especially if they are on a side of the house that isn't frequently travelled by in the winter. Of course, I take the time to read the NorthWestern Energy Inserts in the bill, and I often see helpful hints and safety information in them, which is fantastic. After the snow subsided, I went outside and started checking everything as I often do. I inspect all my vents and clear space around them, but this time the drifts were well over four-feet high. My furnace exhaust vent was buried and underneath I found a chunk of ice that was covering more than half of the airflow. (It appeared the exhaust had melted a little pathway through the snow and ice thankfully, but nonetheless it was a close call.) I thought to myself that it wasn't that long ago I had checked it, but the heavy blowing snow covered it in no time at all.
The picture I've included is of the ice I removed from my furnace exhaust. If I had not inspected the area, I'm certain CO would have become a problem, and one that is completely preventable. My hope is that everyone reads the information your company puts out there and practices it in the real world.
I do want to say thank you for continually providing safety information in the newsletters that come out with the bills. This time of year is bad enough with the weather being difficult, roads being terrible, and flu bugs going around. It's important that we make home our safe place to be, and, as customers, we need to ensure that we are proactive for the safety of our families. Inspecting vents, meters, and clearing them takes just a few minutes to ensure the safe operation of heating appliances. Don't wait until something happens to take action. Natural gas and electrical safety is something we all should be proactive about, not reactive. Waiting for a problem to occur can cost people their health, or even life, therefore being reactive should never be an option. So, with that, I say thanks again for the information you provide and attached is the proof that it is extremely important. I hope you had a happy holiday season, and best wishes this New Year. Thanks!

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Please be alert and travel safe. Watch for downed lines in Montana and follow NorthWestern Energy's outage map for the latest information regarding power outages. You can report an outage online at: https://goo.gl/V9TwEz

Learn more here: How to Keep Furnace Vents Clear of Snow and Ice
by Hamilton Home Comfort