Quick reminder: Keep heating vents clear during heavy snow - stay safe, brothers and sisters

As-salamu alaykum - with much of the country getting heavy snow, a friendly reminder for households with combustion heating (furnaces, boilers, etc.): check that your exhaust and intake vents aren’t blocked by snow or ice. Many vents sit low to the ground and a foot or more of snow, plus drifting, can cover them. If exhaust vents are blocked, carbon monoxide can’t escape and can build up inside. Some high-efficiency systems have low intake pipes that can get buried too, which can cause system problems and danger. CARBON MONOXIDE IS DANGEROUS. Signs include headache, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, confusion, and trouble breathing. If you or family members feel any of these, get fresh air immediately and call emergency services. Winter storms also sometimes cause power outages, and using unvented heaters or running generators indoors is risky. Those can produce carbon monoxide and other harmful fumes - avoid indoor use of such devices. Also check your carbon monoxide alarm: replace batteries if needed, confirm the alarm is within its working life, and test it so you know it will alert you. May Allah keep you and your household safe. Take a few minutes to clear vents and double-check alarms - it could save a life.