Gas leaks, odor of gas, damaged lines, carbon monoxide symptoms and water main breaks are all considered emergencies.
If you smell gas, do not attempt to locate the leak. Instead, leave the house or building right away. Do not use any electrical switches, appliances, lights, telephones, or mobile devices, as an electrical charge could create a spark. When you are in a safe place, call M.U.D.'s emergency hotline at 402.554.7777 or 9-1-1.
If someone is showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 9-1-1 immediately. Symptoms are like the flu.
If you have a water-related emergency, call 402.554.7777. Our personnel are ready to assist you 24/7. When in doubt, call us immediately.
Las fugas de gas, el olor a gas, las tuberías de gas dañadas, los síntomas de monóxido de carbono y roturas en las tuberías principales de agua son consideradas emergencias.
Si huele a gas, NO trate de localizar la fuga/escape. Al contrario, abandone la casa o el edificio inmediatamente. No utilice los interruptores eléctricos, electrodomésticos, luces, teléfonos o equipos móviles, ya que una carga eléctrica podría provocar una chispa. Una vez que se encuentre en un lugar seguro, entonces llame a la línea directa de emergencia de M.U.D. al 402.554.7777 o al 9-1-1.
Si alguien tiene síntomas de envenenamiento causados por el monóxido de carbono, llame al 9-1-1 inmediatamente. Los síntomas son como los de la gripe/catarro.
Si tiene una emergencia relacionada con el agua, llame al 402.554.7777. Nuestro personal está listo para ayudarle, 24/7. Cuando dude o crea que hay una emergencia, llámenos de inmediato.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can be produced by incomplete combustion when carbon-based materials are burned such as wood, propane, charcoal, natural gas, oil, gasoline and kerosene. CO mixes freely with the air we breathe.
It has no odor or color, however some components of combustion do have an odor and may indicate a potential carbon monoxide problem.
Your first line of defense against CO is to make sure your system is properly installed and vented, in good working order, and inspected every year by a licensed heating contractor.
CO detectors can provide added protection, however they are not substitutes for proper use and upkeep of appliances. Maintain and inspect detectors to make sure they are in working order.
According to the U.S. Office of Safety and Health Administration, CO becomes a problem when it builds up in your home and the concentration rises to more than 50 parts per million for eight hours or more.
At high levels, CO is deadly. It combines with hemoglobin — the red component of your blood which transports oxygen to your cells — and prevents oxygen from being circulated. Older people, young children, people with heart and respiratory problems and small pets are particularly susceptible.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Symptoms are similar to the flu:
Headaches
Dizziness
Vomiting or nausea
Weakness and tightness of the chest.
Be suspicious if all members of your family share the same symptoms and the symptoms clear up when you’re outside the house.
If you are unable to determine the cause, call a licensed heating contractor or our emergency number, 402.554.7777.
If you suspect carbon monoxide:
Check to see if anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide. If anyone is overcome by CO, call 911.
Do not panic. Get everyone out of the building.
Carbon monoxide safety tips
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that can be produced by incomplete combustion when carbon-based materials — wood, propane, charcoal, natural gas, oil, gasoline and kerosene — are burned. CO has no odor or color.
CO symptoms are flu-like: Headaches, dizziness, vomiting or nausea, weakness and tightness of the chest. Be suspicious if all members of your family share the same symptoms and the symptoms clear up when you’re outside the house. If symptoms persist, see a doctor.
To prevent CO:
1. Have a licensed heating contractor inspect the heating system and appliances every year.
2. Never use a gas range to heat your home.
3. Keep flues and chimneys free of debris.
4. Clear snow and ice from exhaust and combustion air vents for gas appliances.
5. Use a clean filter in your furnace — Standard air filters need to be changed once a month during the heating season. Check the owner’s manual.
6. Do not operate a barbecue grill in a closed area, such as the garage.
7. Don’t start or run gasoline-powered equipment in a closed area.
8. Check for rusted or pitted flue pipes from the furnace and water heater. Don’t patch the pipes; replace them immediately.
If you suspect CO:
Check to see if anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide. If anyone is overcome by CO, call 911.
Do not panic. Get everyone out of the building.
Get help for anyone in need of medical care.
Open doors, windows to let in fresh air.
Turn the thermostat to the lowest setting.
Turn off all unvented appliances (range, auxiliary heater).
Turn the water heater to the lowest setting.
Check flues for obstructions.
Check for soot around the water heater and furnace.
Check for a vehicle or small engine operating in an attached garage or basement.
If you are unable to determine the cause, call a licensed heating contractor or our emergency number, 402.554.7777.
CO Safety
What is the role of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in preventing carbon monoxide (CO)?
CPSC worked closely with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to help develop the safety standard (UL 2034) for CO detectors/alarms. CPSC helps promote carbon monoxide safety awareness to raise awareness of CO hazards and the need for regular maintenance of fuel-burning appliances.
CPSC recommends that every home have a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the most recent UL standard 2034 or the IAS 6-96 standard in the hallway near every separate sleeping area. CPSC also works with industry to develop voluntary and mandatory standards for fuel-burning appliances.
Accreditation
Consumer Products Safety Commission Document #466
What should you do if you are experiencing symptoms of CO?
If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms (headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain or confusion) of CO poisoning get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. Call your fire department (or 911) and report your symptoms. High levels of CO inhalation can cause loss of consciousness and death.
It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified service person checks them for malfunction.
Accreditation
Consumer Products Safety Commission Document #466
What should you do when the CO detector/alarm sounds?
Never ignore an alarming CO detector/alarm. If the detector/alarm sounds:
•Operate the reset button.
•Call your emergency services (fire department or 911).
•Immediately move to fresh air — outdoors or by an open door/window.
If you smell natural gas
Get everyone out of the building or area. From a safe location, call us at 402.554.7777 or 911 from a phone not located in the building. There is no charge to check gas leaks!
If you smell an odor or know there is a damaged gas line, do not use any matches, candles, lighters, flashlights, motors or appliances. Don’t even use the light switch, telephone or cellular phone.
If you detect a faint odor of natural gas, check the pilot lights. If the pilot light or burner flame is out, shut off the gas supply to the appliance. Allow ample time for any gas accumulation to escape before relighting.
Accreditation
Consumer Products Safety Commission Document #466
Do some cities require that CO detectors/alarms be installed?
On September 15, 1993, Chicago, IL became one of the first cities in the nation to adopt an ordinance requiring, effective October 1, 1994, the installation of CO detectors/alarms in all new single-family homes and in existing single-family residences that have new oil or gas furnaces. Several other cities also require CO detectors/alarms in apartment buildings and single-family dwellings.
Accreditation
Consumer Products Safety Commission Document #466
How should a consumer test a CO detector/alarm to make sure it is working?
Consumers should follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Using a test button, some detectors/alarms test whether the circuitry as well as the sensor which senses CO is working, while the test button on other detectors only tests whether the circuitry is working. For those units which test the circuitry only, some manufacturers sell separate test kits to help the consumer test the CO sensor inside the alarm.
Accreditation
Consumer Products Safety Commission Document #466
Should CO detectors/alarms be used in motor homes and other recreational vehicles?
CO detectors/alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association requires CO detectors/alarms in motor homes and in towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator.
Accreditation
Consumer Products Safety Commission Document #466
What has changed in CO detectors/alarms recently?
CO detectors/alarms always have been and still are designed to alarm before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. The UL standard 2034 (1998 revision) has stricter requirements that the detector/alarm must meet before it can sound. As a result, the possibility of nuisance alarms is decreased.
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