Chester, VA – November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, and today, Columbia Gas of Virginia, Inc., through the NiSource Charitable Foundation and in partnership with the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association, is announcing the donation of nearly 600 carbon monoxide alarms to 15 fire and emergency departments across Virginia.
To receive the alarms, the departments had to meet these requirements:
- Apply to the 2026 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Distribution program;
- Assist any qualifying individuals who received the alarms with installation of the detectors;
- Provide resident safety education on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure; and
- Provide information on proper alarm monthly testing and ongoing maintenance procedures, and immediate life-safety emergency protocol such as leaving the structure and calling 911 upon alarm activation.
“The Carbon Monoxide Alarm Distribution program will help protect individuals and families in Virginia,” said Columbia Gas of Virginia President and Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Montague. “We’re so proud to collaborate with the Virginia Fire Chiefs Association on raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide and working together to build safer, stronger communities in the Commonwealth.”
The departments receiving the alarms include the Harrisonburg Fire Department; Petersburg Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services; Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services; Lynchburg Fire Department; King and Queen County Department of Emergency Services; Warren County Fire and Rescue; Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department; Staunton Fire and Rescue Department; Appomattox Volunteer Fire Department; Shenandoah Combined Fire and Rescue; Charles City County Department of Fire and Emergency Services; Monelison Volunteer Fire Department; Colonial Heights Fire and EMS; Culpeper County Volunteer Fire Department; and Newport News Fire Department.
Carbon Monoxide Prevention Tips:
- Make certain all fuel-burning equipment (coal, wood, natural gas, propane, pellet stoves, kerosene, and fuel oil) is installed, inspected and operating properly.
- Hire a professional to install all fuel-burning appliances, including ovens, stoves, and clothes dryers.
- Do not cut off or restrict air sources to appliances.
- Provide adequate indoor ventilation when using fireplaces or unvented space heaters.
- Never burn charcoal indoors or in an enclosed space.
- Clean chimneys and check for blockages.
- Open garage doors before starting vehicles.
- Do not heat your home with a gas oven or burn anything in a fireplace that is not vented.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms:
Carbon monoxide may cause any or all of the following symptoms:
- Human symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, ringing in the ears, seeing spots, feeling ill or tired at home but feeling fine away from home, loss of consciousness and respiratory failure.
- Household symptoms include foul-smelling or stale air, the smell of exhaust fumes, a yellow or orange flame on natural gas ranges and stoves, soot around the outside of a chimney, furnace or water heater flue vent or large areas of condensation of water vapor on walls or windows.
If you think carbon monoxide is present or your CO detector sounds, leave the area to get fresh air, immediately call 911 and Columbia Gas at 1-800-544-5606, and DO NOT GO BACK until repairs are made and it is safe to reenter.
To learn more about how to stay safe from CO, please visit www.ColumbiaGasVA.com/CO.
About the NiSource Charitable Foundation
The NiSource Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and serves as the charitable arm for NiSource Inc. and its companies operating under the NIPSCO and Columbia Gas brands. The Foundation’s mission is to create strong and sustainable communities where our employees and customers live and work. The Foundation lives up to its mission by providing charitable grants to nonprofit organizations and by encouraging employee volunteerism. Learn more at www.NiSource.com/Foundation
About Columbia Gas of Virginia
Columbia Gas of Virginia delivers clean, affordable and efficient natural gas to approximately 293,000 customers in 98 communities across the Commonwealth. With headquarters in Chesterfield County, it is one of six regulated utility companies of NiSource (NYSE: NI), one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in the United States. NiSource employees are focused on our mission to deliver safe, reliable energy that drives value to our customers. More information about Columbia Gas of Virginia and NiSource, Inc.,including our record of leadership in sustainability, investments in the communities we serve, and how we live our vision to be an innovative and trusted energy partner, is available at www.ColumbiaGasVA.com and www.NiSource.com.
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