| CARBON MONOXIDE |
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible
gas. Carbon Monoxide results from the incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, kerosene,
charcoal, propane, natural gas and oil.
Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?
Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air.
In the home, it is formed from incomplete
combustion from any flame-fueled (not electric)
device, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers,
furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles
and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may
be sources of carbon monoxide, but if they are
vented properly, the carbon monoxide will escape to
the outside. Open flames, such as from ovens and
ranges, are the most common source of carbon
monoxide. Vehicles are the most common cause of
carbon monoxide poisoning.
How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?
Carbon monoxide detectors trigger an alarm based
on an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time.
Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed
to high levels of carbon monoxide in a short period
of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a
long period of time.
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible
gas. Carbon Monoxide results from the incomplete
combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, kerosene,
charcoal, propane, natural gas and oil.
Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?
Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air.
In the home, it is formed from incomplete
combustion from any flame-fueled (not electric)
device, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers,
furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles
and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may
be sources of carbon monoxide, but if they are
vented properly, the carbon monoxide will escape to
the outside. Open flames, such as from ovens and
ranges, are the most common source of carbon
monoxide. Vehicles are the most common cause of
carbon monoxide poisoning.
How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?
Carbon monoxide detectors trigger an alarm based
on an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time.
Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed
to high levels of carbon monoxide in a short period
of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a
long period of time.
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Carbon monoxide detectors require a continuous power supply, so if the power shuts off then the
alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power.
Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, is passes from the lungs to the red blood cells. That forms
carboxyhemoglobin, which interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange abilities of red
blood cells. The body becomes oxygen-starved, which can result in tissue damage and death. Low
levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the cold or flu, including
shortness of breath on mild exertion, mild headaches and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning lead to
dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting upon mild exertion. Ultimately,
carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness, permanent brain damage and death.
Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide
would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Babies, children, pregnant women, people with circulatory
or respiratory ailments and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than healthy adults.
Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Detectors should be placed about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling.
Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the
detector out of the way of children and pets. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you get a single
detector, place it near the sleeping area and make sure the alarm is loud enough to wake you up.
What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds?
Don't ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the
alarm, get all members of the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of
the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms, call 911. If no one
has symptoms, ventilate the building, identify and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before
returning inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Information
Don't assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have installed a
detector. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and
health of family members into account. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon
monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The 'test' feature on many detectors checks the functioning of
the alarm and not the status of the detector. When deciding whether or not to install a detector, you
need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources, but also the construction
of the building. A newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated,
which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.
alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power.
Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, is passes from the lungs to the red blood cells. That forms
carboxyhemoglobin, which interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange abilities of red
blood cells. The body becomes oxygen-starved, which can result in tissue damage and death. Low
levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the cold or flu, including
shortness of breath on mild exertion, mild headaches and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning lead to
dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting upon mild exertion. Ultimately,
carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness, permanent brain damage and death.
Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide
would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Babies, children, pregnant women, people with circulatory
or respiratory ailments and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than healthy adults.
Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Detectors should be placed about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling.
Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the
detector out of the way of children and pets. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you get a single
detector, place it near the sleeping area and make sure the alarm is loud enough to wake you up.
What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds?
Don't ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the
alarm, get all members of the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of
the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms, call 911. If no one
has symptoms, ventilate the building, identify and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before
returning inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Information
Don't assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have installed a
detector. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and
health of family members into account. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon
monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The 'test' feature on many detectors checks the functioning of
the alarm and not the status of the detector. When deciding whether or not to install a detector, you
need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources, but also the construction
of the building. A newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated,
which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.
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| Larry Harding "Captain of Comfort" |
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| 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE e-mail: harding-heat-cool@sbcglobal.net LOCAL NUMBERS: 330-823-8461__ 330-332-4688__ 330-455-4321__ 330-298-9000 |
