Molly Sabatino, Broker, GRI, SFR, CREN

Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious threat to many households so I wanted to take a quick minute to give you some information about Carbon Monoxide and the Illinois law that requires the installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors in your home. Please read over these Frequently Asked Questions and the enclosed brochure.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas produced as a by-product of combustion. Any fuel burning appliance, vehicle, tool or other device has the potential to produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas. Examples of carbon monoxide producing devices commonly in use around the home include:

• Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)
• Gas water heaters
• Fireplaces and woodstoves
• Gas stoves
• Gas dryers
• Charcoal grills
• Lawnmowers, snow-blowers and other yard equipment
• Automobiles

How many carbon monoxide detectors should I have and where should I place them?

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a detector on each floor of a residence. At a minimum, a single detector should be placed on each sleeping floor with an additional detector in the area of any major gas burning appliances such as a furnace or water heater. In general, carbon monoxide detectors should be placed high (near the ceiling) for most effective use. Detectors should also not be placed within five feet of gas fueled appliances or near cooking or bathing areas.

What are the medical effects of carbon monoxide and how do I recognize them?

Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood's ability to carry oxygen to body tissues including vital organs such as the heart and brain. When CO is inhaled, it combines with the oxygen carrying hemoglobin of the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin. Once combined with the hemoglobin, that hemoglobin is no longer available for transporting oxygen.

• Stage 1 Mild headache.
• Stage 2 Nausea and serious headache. Quick recovery with oxygen or fresh air.
• Stage 3 Symptoms intensify. Potential for long term effects especially in the case of infants, children, the elderly, victims of heart disease and pregnant women.
• Stage 4 Unconsciousness.
• Stage 5 Death.

What should I do when my carbon monoxide detector goes off?

First and foremost, stay calm. Most situations resulting in activation of a detector are not life threatening and do not require calling 911. To determine the need to call 911, ask the following question of everyone in the household: "Does anyone feel ill? Is anyone experiencing the 'flu-like' symptoms of headache, nausea or dizziness?" If the answer is yes, evacuate the household to a safe location and have someone call 911. Failure to evacuate immediately may result in prolonged exposure and worsening effects from possible carbon monoxide gas. The best initial treatment for carbon monoxide gas exposure is fresh air. If the answer is no, the likelihood of a serious exposure is greatly diminished and one probably does not need to call 911. Instead, turn off any gas burning appliances or equipment, ventilate the area and attempt to reset the alarm. If the alarm will not reset or resounds, call a qualified heating and ventilating service contractor to inspect your system for possible problems. If at any time during this process someone begins to feel ill with the symptoms described above evacuate the household to a safe location and have someone call 911.

As the days get shorter and the air gets colder most people start to pull out the sweaters and down comforters preparing themselves for winter. Many people don't think twice about what they need to do to get their home ready for winter. Below are some helpful tips to make your home more energy efficient so you can be comfy and cozy all winter long.

Every Fall


SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS & FIRE EXTENGUISHERS:

• Check to make sure they are operating properly.
• Also consider installing a carbon monoxide detector if you don't currently have any.
• Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher rated for all fire types (look for an A-B-C rating on the label). At a minimum, keep one near the kitchen; having one per floor isn't a bad idea. Annually, check the indicator on the pressure gauge to make sure the extinguisher is charged. Make certain that the lock pin is intact and firmly in place, and check that the discharge nozzle is not clogged. Clean the extinguisher and check it for dents, scratches, and corrosion. Replace if the damage seems severe. Note: Fire extinguishers that are more than six years old should be replaced. Mark the date of purchase on the new unit with a permanent marker.

CLEAN CARPETING, UPHOLSTERY, DRAPERIES AND AIR DUCTS:

• Have your carpets, upholstery and draperies cleaned regularly, once every 12 to 18 months, to remove the dirt and grit that can wear them out prematurely.
• Consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if family members suffer excessively from respiratory infections asthma or allergies, there is visible mold growth inside ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system, the ducts are infested with insects or rodents, or excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

FORCED AIR HEATING SYSTEM:

• Before turning on your unit, make sure nothing flammable has been stored next to the furnace over the summer. Also, change the filters regularly. Be sure all access panels are secure, with all the screws in place. Be sure the thermostat is set in the heating mode. Run your heater for a few minutes to burn off the dust that usually collects on the heat exchanger over the summer (don't worry, that smell is normal) and to make sure it is in working order before you need it. Arrange for service calls before the start of heating and cooling season to get better attention and have more flexibility when scheduling appointments.
• Consider hiring a pro to perform a furnace maintenance check-up, including these steps:
  • Inspect thermostat for proper operation.
  • Inspect filter and change or clean as needed.
  • Check all electrical components and controls.
  • Oil motors as needed
  • Inspect heat exchanger for possible cracks, which would introduce carbon monoxide into the living space.
  • Check airflow. If diminished, it may be necessary to clean the evaporator coil and ductwork.
  • Check air fuel mixture, where appropriate.
• Here are signs that you should have an inspection performed sooner:
  • Noisy belts. Unusual screeches or whines may be a signal that belts connected to the blower motor are worn or damaged.
  • Poor performance. A heating system that doesn't seem to work as well as it once did could be a sign of various problems. Your heating ducts might be blocked, the burners might be misadjusted, or the blower motor could be on its last legs. One check you should be sure to conduct: Make sure your furnace filter is clean.
  • Erratic behavior. This could be caused by a faulty thermostat or a misadjusted furnace.
    

DOOR AND WINDOW WEATHER-STRIPPING:

• Weather-stripping is easily the most cost-effective way to rein in heating and cooling costs. This humble material also reduces drafts and keeps your home more comfortable year-round. Because weather stripping can deteriorate over time, it is important to inspect it periodically.
• If you suspect a problem with weather stripping, you have several options for checking. Close a door or window on a strip of paper; if the paper slides easily, your weather-stripping isn't doing its job. Or, close the door or window and hold a lighted candle near the frame. (Don't let the flame get near anything flammable!) If the flame flickers at any spot along the frame, you have an air leak.
• While you're at it, also check for missing or damaged caulk around windows, doors, and entry points for electrical, cable, phone, gas, and so. Seal any gaps with a suitable caulk.
• Make sure the weather-stripping on the door between your garage and home is intact to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

GARAGE DOORS:

• Clean and lubricate hinges, rollers, and tracks; tighten screws.
• If serious repair is required, hire a garage door pro.

PEST CONTROL:

• Remember, insects and other critters would naturally prefer to come indoors out of the rain and cold, if possible, as winter sets in.
• Make sure all vents and other openings are covered and spray for insects along perimeter of house if you don't have a regular pest control service.

WATER HEATER:

• Every six months you should turn off the power source and drain it completely until it's clear of sediment.
• Also inspect flue assembly (gas heater); check for leaks and corrosion.
• Consult a service professional if any damage is evident.

PIPES:

• Check your pipes for rust or white lime deposits that may indicate a leak is starting - replace if necessary.
• Check for leaking around the outside hose bibs.
• Install insulation around outdoor water pipes to protect from freezing.

GENERAL CLEANUP:

• Rid your home of accumulations of old newspapers and leftover hazardous household chemicals. (Check with your state or local Environmental Protection Agency about the proper way to discard dangerous chemicals.) Store flammable materials and poisons in approved, clearly labeled containers. Keep a clear space around heaters, furnaces, and other heat-producing appliances.

I am very happy spring is here and I can enjoy the warm weather and the plants and flowers in my garden. Recently I put my potted plants outside on my front porch, like I do every year. Suddenly this year the chipmunk who lives in the back of my house under the A/C unit is digging in my geranium.

Normally, I like the chipmunk. He will run across the back patio and almost seems to taunt my indoor cat. It is fun to see the cat try to "attack" him through the sliding glass door.

This is the first year he has started to dig in my plants. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep him from my potted plants? I don't want to kill him, and I don't want to trap and relocate him. I just want him to stop digging in my plants.

Can someone plese help me learn more about Section 8 in Illinois. Where do I go or who can I talk to about helping clients with Section 8 vouchers to find rentals and how can I get a rental section 8 approved? Thank you

Molly Sabatino of Baird & Warner's Fox Valley office recently received her Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource Certification (SFR). "With the current economic conditions and today's housing market, more an more home owners are looking at a short sale as an alterative to losing their home to a foreclosure," Sabatino said.

While Sabatino has been in business for several years she has seen an increase in the number of short sale transactions in the Fox Valley. "Sometimes when you list the house the sellers are not in a short sale situation. However, as time goes by and mortgage payments are missed and housing prices decline the seller is now faced with a short sale."

A short sale is when the mortgage holder agrees to take less than what is currently owed on the home because the seller is unable to come up with the difference. In order to qualify for a short sale the seller must have endured some form of hardship that makes it difficult or impossible for them to pay their current mortgage.

The SFR coursework gives the agent the tools needed to help both sellers and buyers navigate the complex nature of short sales and foreclosures. Agents with their SFR are able to qualify sellers for a short sale, help them prepare a short sale package, negotiate with the lender. They can also direct sellers to legal, and finance professionals who can help them avoid a short sale.

Sabatino stated that, "Sellers have many more options that just selling their home. There are programs designed to help them modify their current loan so they don't have to sell. This course showed me how to counsel my clients about their options."

Buyers will also benefit from using an agent with their SFR because the agent will protect the buyers' interests by knowing how the process works and help limit the risk of making an offer on a short sale property. "Knowing the ins and outs of the short sale process helps me while working with buyers. A short sale can take several months to close so I can educate my buyers about the time frame involved and move on if the buyer is not able to wait for bank approval."

Sabatino has been helping buyers and sellers in the Fox Valley for 5 years. You can contact her at 630-345-7486 or by e-mail at molly.sabatino@bairdwarner.com