ATCO Gas Introduces Checklist to Prevent and Detect Carbon Monoxide

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Nov. 8, 2013) - ATCO Gas has developed a handy checklist to help keep Albertans safe from carbon monoxide (CO) this heating season.

The free downloadable checklist, available at www.atcogas.com, was created to provide Albertans with an easy tool they can use in their homes to prevent and detect CO. In 2012, ATCO Gas received more than 3000 service and emergency calls related to CO.

"With the fall and winter heating season upon us, we want homeowners to be aware of potential sources of carbon monoxide in their homes and know what they can do to prevent and detect it," said Bill Stephens, President, ATCO Gas. "Taking a few simple steps, such as changing your furnace filter regularly and installing a CO detector will help keep your family safe."

ATCO Gas encourages Albertans to take the following steps to prevent and detect CO:

• Have fuel-burning appliances, such as a furnace or hot water heater, inspected regularly according to manufacturers' specifications.
• Check the furnace filter monthly and clean or replace when dirty.
• Clear debris, snow and ice from vents and chimneys.
• Ensure areas around fuel-burning appliances are clutter-free.
• Check the flame of all natural gas appliances; it should be blue.
• Don't idle vehicles inside an attached garage or near appliance/furnace intake vents.
• Open a window near a wood-burning fireplace.
• Install and maintain a CO detector according to manufacturer's instructions.
• Visibly mark CO detector's expiry date on it with a marker.
• Replace CO detector's battery annually.
• Vacuum CO detector monthly.

Often referred to as the silent killer, CO is an odourless, colourless and toxic gas, which can cause sudden illness and in some cases, death. It can be produced through incomplete combustion of a fuel. This can occur when appliances, such as a furnace or hot water heater, are not maintained, vents are blocked or damaged, or when a vehicle is left running in an attached garage.

Visit www.atcogas.com to learn more about how you can protect your family from carbon monoxide.

ATCO Gas is an Alberta based, province-wide natural gas distribution company that serves nearly 1.1 million customers in nearly 300 Alberta communities and is part of the ATCO Group of Companies. ATCO Group, with more than 9,400 employees and assets of approximately $16 billion, delivers service excellence and innovative business solutions worldwide with leading companies engaged in Structures & Logistics (manufacturing, logistics and noise abatement), Utilities (pipelines, natural gas and electricity transmission and distribution), Energy (power generation, natural gas gathering, processing, storage and liquids extraction) and Technologies (business systems solutions). More information can be found at www.atco.com.