MONROE - The Monroe Fire Department has responded to eight calls involving blocked furnace or water heater vents in the last 48 hours, according to Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch Thursday.
Rausch asks people to check their and their neighbors' vents as soon as possible.
"It is a major safety concern when deep snow has blocked furnace and hot water tank exhaust pipes," Rausch said, in a department news release. "Today it's very common for furnaces and water heaters to be 'power vented' out the side of the house versus using a chimney.
"It can be very dangerous if the snow gets deep enough to block the exhaust pipe and can cause carbon monoxide to back up into the home," he added.
Rausch asks people to check their and their neighbors' vents as soon as possible.
"It is a major safety concern when deep snow has blocked furnace and hot water tank exhaust pipes," Rausch said, in a department news release. "Today it's very common for furnaces and water heaters to be 'power vented' out the side of the house versus using a chimney.
"It can be very dangerous if the snow gets deep enough to block the exhaust pipe and can cause carbon monoxide to back up into the home," he added.