ROYAL OAK, Mich., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mother Nature continues to batter Michigan residents with snow, ice and cold winter temperatures. Consumers Energy reminds customers to keep safety in mind by making sure their gas meters, as well as furnace fresh air intakes and exhaust pipes, are free of ice and snow. When snow is allowed to build up around these areas it can become compacted and freeze. This can cause damage that interferes with proper operation of the natural gas meter and furnace. Customers are advised to carefully remove snow by hand and not use power snow removal equipment around these areas. While most fresh air intake valves and exhaust pipes are generally located on the sides of buildings, in manufactured or mobile homes they are most often located on the roof. Some customers in manufactured or mobile homes have experienced furnace problems because of snow and ice buildup. "It's important that customers keep meters, fresh air vents and exhaust pipes clear, particularly after the heavy snowfalls and ice buildup our state has experienced," said Gary VanOchten, operations manager. "Not only can snow and ice buildup cause furnaces and appliances such as water heaters to stop operating, it can also cause potentially life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning to develop." Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless and can be produced when appliances aren't operating or venting properly. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic the flu and include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, and stinging or burning of the eyes. The best defense against carbon monoxide poisoning is to install an audible alarm that will sound if dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are present. To help ensure the safety of meter readers, customers are also asked to keep their sidewalks, stairways and gate areas free of snow and ice buildup. A clear path to the meter and a meter that is clearly visible without a build- up of snow and ice will help make meters easier to read and reduce the need for estimating energy use. Consumers Energy, the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation, provides natural gas and electric utility to nearly 6.5 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. DATASOURCE: Consumers Energy CONTACT: Terry DeDoes, +1-517-374-2159, or Debra Dodd +1-248-433-5781, both of Consumers Energy Web site: http://www.consumersenergy.com/ Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/203850.html

Copyright