Proper Maintenance to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Oklahoma

Because the deadly gas carbon monoxide (CO) is undetectable by human senses, everyone is vulnerable to CO injuries. Fortunately, however, CO poisoning is entirely preventable. Although you can take many precautionary steps to reduce risks in your home, you must work with your landlord to address CO threats when you rent property in Oklahoma.

If dangers in your rented home caused CO poisoning, the expert Oklahoma attorneys at Carabin Shaw can show that a property owner neglected their duties. Your first step toward legal action is a free case review and initial consultation with our experienced team. But knowing the risks in advance helps you understand exactly how someone might fail to protect you.

Potential Sources of Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

Household appliances that burn fuel can release CO if they aren’t properly maintained or ventilated. Electrical appliance don’t usually emit CO, but the following fuel-burning items might be sources of the hazardous gas in your home:

• Furnaces and water heaters
• Fireplaces
• Kitchen ranges
• Clothes dryers
• Portable space heaters
• Garaged motor vehicles

In Oklahoma, tenants have the right to a safe home in good repair. If your landlord hasn’t upheld their end of this contract, a lawyer can link your CO poisoning injuries to the household risks that a property owner didn’t address.

Proper Maintenance to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Oklahoma

Carbon monoxide reaches deadly levels most quickly in enclosed spaces without ventilation. In addition to upkeep of appliances, ensuring that air-flow features like range hoods are functioning reduces your risk of poisoning.

In general, properly maintaining a rental property involves the following actions:

• Annually testing fuel-burning appliances and repairing them as needed
• Regularly inspecting for signs of wear or malfunction, such as rust
• Ensuring that all necessary vents and fans are working
• Clearing chimneys of debris and hiring a professional to check structural integrity
• Checking furnaces for exhaust back pressure
• In duplexes and apartment complexes, ensuring that CO sources along shared walls aren’t emitting CO into adjacent spaces

In many cases, landlords can prevent CO poisoning by responding to their tenants’ requests for inspections and maintenance. When property owners fail to do so, the Oklahoma carbon monoxide poisoning lawyers at Carabin Shaw understand the impact of resulting injuries and fight for fair compensation.

Detecting Carbon Monoxide at Home

In Oklahoma, homes with CO systems must also have functioning CO detectors and alarms. Though detection tools are the most helpful for preventing injuries due to the invisible gas, it’s important to know other signs of CO poisoning in case detectors fail.

As a tenant, you can watch for the following:

• Soot on or around appliances where air flow occurs, such as vents and furnace filters
• Yellow flames, instead of blue, on burners
• Physical symptoms of CO poisoning, including headaches, fatigue, faintness, nausea, sweating, and vomiting

If you believe that CO levels are higher than normal, cease using any suspect appliances. When you must use CO-emitting appliances, open windows or doors to increase air flow. In cases where you or roommates are experiencing physical symptoms, you should avoid being inside the space, seek medical attention, and contact an attorney for legal advice.

Landlord Responsibility for Hazards in Oklahoma Rental Properties

Premises liability attorneys in Oklahoma advise and support clients when landlords cause harm by neglecting their responsibilities. With CO poisoning, it can be difficult to diagnose your condition and find the source of CO in your home. However, your legal team at Carabin Shaw can recommend professionals whose documentation will serve your well-being and your path to justice.

Carabin Shaw’s client reviews show our team’s dedication to each case from beginning to end. To start working with our committed and experienced team, call the toll-free number 1-800-862-1260. For your convenience, our staff is available to speak with you in Spanish or English at all hours on any day of the week.

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