Having heat in your home is not a luxury – it's a necessity. Unfortunately, the furnace that is providing you with the heat could also be trying to kill you. Do you know what to look for to learn if the carbon monoxide produced by the propane, gas or oil furnace is leaking into your home? Here, you will learn several tips to help you prevent the "Silent Killer" from seeping into your home and know when it is.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Do you have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home? You should have at least one on each level in your home. Look for the detectors that are both electrically and battery powered. This way, if the power does go out, you still have detectors that will alert you if the carbon monoxide is leaking into your home. Just don't forget to change the batteries in the detectors every six months or so – just like you do your smoke alarms.

Ventilation

The air vents in your home are there for more than just letting hot air out during the summer months. These vents also allow for gasses and toxins to escape from the house. Make sure that the vents in your attic and eves are clear so that the gasses in your home can escape and not become fully entrapped.

Watch Your Flames

If you use a gas or propane stove, you need to know what to look for in the flames to learn if the carbon monoxide is filling your home. The flames should be mostly blue. If they are yellow, the oxygen level is low and something needs your attention.

Maintenance and Repair

Never skip your yearly maintenance check for your heating system. These maintenance checks do more than just make sure that everything works – they give a technician a chance to make sure that everything is working safely. Just because your furnace heats your home, turns on and off when it should and doesn't make funny sounds, it doesn't mean that it is operating safely.

The safety of your family, pets and visitors is in your hands. Failure to pay attention to the details, get the inspection done each year, not checking your ventilation and not installing carbon monoxide detectors could cost you more than you ever thought possible. Talk with your local heating and cooling expert to learn more about propane, gas and oil safety.