Protect yourself from Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide - The #1 Poison Killer
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, tasteless, invisible, poison gas. It is produced when carbon-containing materials like wood, coal, oil, and natural gas, burn incompletely. This occurs when a fire has a low oxygen supply. Each burning carbon atom joins with only one oxygen atom instead of the usual two, and that makes carbon monoxide.
When CO enters the lungs, it quickly latches onto red blood cells. When this happens, CO keeps red blood cells from delivering the oxygen they carry to the other cells of the body. Without oxygen, cells and organs die. Carbon monoxide binds with red blood cells up to 300 times stronger than oxygen.
Every year 1,500 people die of CO poisoning and 10,000 others need medical attention because of it. CO poisoning is a real threat, one that you cannot see, smell, or taste, but you can prevent
Carbon Monoxide can be a sneaky enemy, it can hurt you before you even know its there. Avoiding dangerous activities and checking for proper ventilation can prevent most CO build up. CO alarms can warn you if a problem occurs.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Any machine that burns fuel can produce carbon monoxide. Many household appliances may produce CO, including:
- Non-electric, fuel fired furnaces.
- Gas water heaters, stoves, and dryers.
- Gas-powered generators.
- Fireplaces, wood stoves, and charcoal grills.
- Lawnmowers, snowblowers, leaf blowers, etc.
- Cars, trucks, and motorcycles.
These machines can produce CO if they do not have enough fresh air flowing around them. If CO builds up near you and your family, you can be poisoned, injured, even killed.
Don't Let It Get to You
Prevent CO emergencies by avoiding dangerous activities. Never run your car or other gas-powered vehicles in the house or garage, even if the garage is open. Do not use a charcoal grill or a gas-powered generator inside a house, tent, or other enclosed space.
Call in the Professionals
Prevent CO buildup by maintaining your equipment. A blocked or leaking chimney, or an undersized vent on a furnace or water heater can lead to CO buildup in your home. If you have a new appliance installed, make sure that the venting system is adequate.
Have your heating system professionally inspected every year. Only a trained expert can make sure there are no leaks in the heating equipment vents. Have other fuel-burning appliances, like your stove and dryer, inspected from time to time to be sure that they are receiving enough fresh air.
A Bit of Backup
Prevent a carbon monoxide tragedy by installing CO alarms. CO alarms look like smoke alarms. In fact, you can purchase a single alarm unit that detects both smoke and carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide alarms may be battery-powered or current-powered (plug-in models). Plug-in models can be used in any outlet. Battery-operated models are useful where outlets are not available. These models can also be installed on or near the ceiling to detect any CO that rises with warm air. It is smart to have some plug-ins and some battery-operated CO alarms in your home.
Installation
At a minimum, place one carbon monoxide alarm near all sleeping areas. For the next level of protection, install one additional alarm on each level of the home. Put some alarms on or near the ceiling. Others can be plugged into electrical outlets within 15 feet of heating or cooking appliances, or in very damp areas such as bathrooms.
Respond Correctly
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, DO NOT PANIC.
First, find out if anyone is feeling sick. Early symptoms or CO exposure are headache, sleepiness, nausea, and dizziness. If anyone has symptoms, leave the house immediately. use a neighbors phone to call the fire department.
If no one feels ill, you probably do not need to call the fire department. turn off any fuel-burning appliances. open windows for ventilation, and reset the alarm. If the alarm sounds again or cannot be reset, have a heating and ventilation professional inspect your home as soon as possible. If anyone begins to show signs of CO poisoning, evacuate and call the fire department.
