The One Spot You Forgot to Shovel—And Why It Could Be Deadly

Everybody knows that when snow starts falling, it’s time to bust out the shovels and get ready to keep your driveway clear. But there’s another spot outside your house that’s just as essential to keep snow off of, especially when snow really starts to pile up.

You might not even realize it, but your furnace vents are an essential part of your home’s ecosystem. The intake and outtake vents on the side of your home literally allow it to breathe. If they get clogged, it can quickly lead to all kinds of issues.

Typically, your furnace vents sit high enough above the ground that they’re unaffected by an average snowfall. But during a really big storm, when snow drifts into large banks and piles up over multiple feet, your vents suddenly find themselves in a much more vulnerable position.

Check out this video from TikToker The Copper Elm, where she showcases the importance of clearing out snow around your furnace vents during a big storm:

@thecopperelmStay warm and stay inside as much as possible, but be sure to check your vents. Carbon monoxide and natural gas buildup are not something to mess around with. 💙♬ original sound – The Copper Elm

The video highlights how even a little drift can quickly pile up snow on your home’s walls and clog your vents. If this happens, your furnace may shut down, and your home will get a lot chillier. Those vents also provide a way for carbon monoxide to escape from your home. So if they’re covered, that CO has nowhere to go but back into the house.  This can lead to even bigger problems and some severe health risks, like carbon monoxide poisoning.

So what’s the solution? Next time you’re hit by a big snowstorm, grab a small hand shovel. After you’re done shoveling your driveway, take that small shovel and go dig out the area around your furnace vents. This will ensure that snow accumulation doesn’t affect your furnace’s performance, keeping you safe and warm while the storm rages outside.

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