Caution - carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon.

   Carbon monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion of any fuel containing carbon – gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, natural and liquefied gas, coal, wood – which is a colorless and odorless poisonous gas.

    Complete combustion of organic matter produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. Carbon monoxide is formed as a result of combustion in conditions of oxygen deficiency. An increase in carbon monoxide concentration in a room occurs in the absence of fresh air supply, poor ventilation, or faulty chimneys when using gas appliances. Furthermore, windy weather can cause backdraft in chimneys and ventilation ducts, and as a result, combustion products, including carbon monoxide, instead of being discharged outside, will accumulate in the room.

To avoid tragedy when operating domestic gas appliances, it is strictly prohibited:

- to use faulty gas appliances and equipment, as well as those with disabled (blocked) safety automation;

- to allow children under 14 years of age, persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as well as persons who have not undergone training at a gas supply organization and are not familiar with the rules for safe use of these appliances to operate gas water heaters;

- to use gas stoves for heating premises;

- to carry out unauthorized connection and disconnection of gas appliances, their relocation using welding, as well as reconnection to a rubber hose, disassembly and repair of this equipment, and interference with the operation of gas meters;

- to operate gas appliances when chimneys and ventilation ducts are faulty, or when there is no draft in them;

- operate gas water heaters (gas boilers) and heating boilers in the absence of inspection reports for smoke and ventilation ducts.

For safety purposes, it is necessary to remember and strictly adhere to the following rules:

- rooms where gas-using equipment is installed must be constantly ventilated; ventilation duct grilles must be kept open; fresh air supply must be ensured to the rooms; ventilation ducts must be in good working order;

- operation of gas water heaters is permitted if there is a supply of fresh air through an open transom window and a cut in the lower part of the door (approximately 9 cubic meters of air are required to burn 1 cubic meter of gas), and there is draft in the smoke and ventilation

ducts;

- before lighting a gas water heater, it is mandatory to check for draft in the smoke and ventilation ducts;

- carry out specialized inspections of the technical condition of smoke and ventilation ducts in a timely manner (deadlines are established by the Rules for the Use of Gas in Everyday Life, depending on the chimney material);

- in winter, at least once a month, as well as during periods of sharp decrease in outdoor air temperature, inspect the outlets of smoke ducts to prevent freezing and blockage;

- gas-using equipment must be kept clean and in good working order, and its preventive maintenance must be carried out in a timely manner.