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Carbon Monoxide

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Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas produced when heating systems are not working correctly. You can't smell, taste or see carbon monoxide. That makes it very dangerous. Carbon monoxide can build up inside a house because of incomplete combustion and cause severe sickness and even death.

• Information about Carbon Monoxide Alarms
• Get a Discount on First Alert CO Alarms

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Sudden flu-like illness
• Dizziness, headaches, sleepiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fluttering or throbbing heart beat
• Cherry-red lips, unusually pale complexion
• Unconsciousness

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Get the victim out of the house and into fresh air immediately.
• Call 911 or emergency medical help at once.
• Get everyone else out of the house.
• Open the windows.

To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Be alert for the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms and replace every five years.
• Never operate internal combustion engines indoors.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors.
• Have all fuel-burning appliances, flues, vents and chimneys checked regularly.

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Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Make sure your home is equipped with working CO alarms.

• Illinois law requires every home and apartment to have a CO alarm within 15 feet of sleeping areas.
• For added safety, consider installing a CO alarm in each bedroom.
• In two-story homes, install at least one CO alarm on each level.
• If your home has a basement, install a CO alarm at the top of the basement stairs.
• Change the batteries in CO alarms at the beginning of winter and then every six months.
• Replace CO alarms older than five years.

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Get a Discount on First Alert CO Alarms

To help Chicagoans stay safe from carbon monoxide this winter. North Shore Gas has partnered with First Alert to offer a 10 percent discount on all their CO alarms, CO-smoke combo and OneLink wireless alarms.

To receive your discount, visit First Alert and enter coupon code 888555 when ordering online. First Alert will offer the discount to North Shore Gas customers through March 2009.

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