You need to know about carbon monoxide, seriously
Some carbon monoxide detectors plug into a standard outlet. (Photo from Kidde)
Got your attention?
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about carbon monoxide, with answers adapted from information gathered from www.cdc.gov, www.safety.com and safekids.org.
WHAT IS CARBON DIOXIDE?
It’s an odorless, colorless toxic gas that’s found in the fumes produced any time you burn fuel. It can build up indoors and poison the people and animals that breathe it. And, unfortunately, hundreds of people die each year from carbon monoxide, earning it the nickname “the silent killer.”
IS CARBON DIOXIDE IN MY HOME?
Yes, it probably is.
Carbon monoxide is a natural by-product of burning fuel. If you use charcoal, gasoline, kerosene, wood, propane, natural gas or heating oil to create energy or heat — fuel-fired furnaces, gas hot water heaters, propane or charcoal grills, generators, wood-burning or gas fireplaces, boilers, gas stoves, room heaters — then there is carbon monoxide in your home. It’s also found in automobile, truck or boat exhaust, the exhaust from lawn mowers and other fuel-powered lawn equipment, and tobacco smoke.
HOW DOES BREATHING IN TOO MUCH CARBON DIOXIDE AFFECT YOU?
Ingesting carbon monoxide in high levels for a long period of time inhibits oxygen intake. The effects depends on a person’s age and overall health.
Often the symptoms are described as “flu-like.” They include:
* headache
* dizziness
* fatigue in healthy people
* chest pain / angina
* impaired vision
* reduced brain function
* impaired coordination
* drowsiness
* confusion
* nausea
* vomiting
* upset stomach
* flu-like symptoms that clear up after leaving home
* loss of consciousness
* death
WHO IS AT RISK FOR CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING?
Everyone. Infants, the elderly and people with chronic heart disease, anemia or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from carbon monoxide, though.
“Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DO I NEED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR?
Yes, you do.
Carbon monoxide detectors function similarly to smoke alarms. If high carbon monoxide levels are present in your home, the detector will emit a sharp beeping sound to alert you to the danger.
There are carbon monoxide detectors with mounting brackets to attach them to the wall, ones that plug into a standard wall outlet, and combination smoke alarms/carbon monoxide alarms.
WHERE SHOULD A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR BE PLACED?
Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in or near a bedroom in your home where it will wake you up. Place one on each floor of your home, at least 15 feet from fuel-burning appliances. And if you have an enclosed garage attached to your home, place a detector within 10 feet of the internal door to your garage. Also place a detector in any room situated above the garage.
Unlike smoke (which rises), carbon monoxide mixes with the air. Because of this, it’s better to install a carbon monoxide detector at knee level — the height of a sleeping person’s nose and mouth. If you are using a combination smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, mount it on the ceiling.
A carbon monoxide detector should not be blocked by furniture, curtains or other objects that might restrict airflow.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF THE CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM SOUNDS?
Do not ignore the alarm!
Get everyone into fresh air by going outside. If there is anyone in the home who is incapable of leaving, open doors and windows. Turn off all possible sources of the carbon monoxide. Call the fire department or a qualified technician to have the problem inspected.
If anyone is experiencing symptoms, call 911.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT CARBON DIOXIDE POISONING?
* Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas-burning or oil-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. The technician will check for any potential carbon monoxide leaks.
* Make repairs immediately. You never know if a system shutting on and off or failing to heat your home is indicative of a leak.
* Don’t use a grill, generator or camping stove inside your home or garage or near a window.
* Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly.
* Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Carbon monoxide can build up in your home if the chimney is blocked by debris.
* Never use a gas range or oven for heating a room.
* If you need to warm up a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it.
* Keep gasoline away from any source of heat, spark or flame. Even common household appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers can start a gasoline fire.
* Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an one that isn’t vented.
* Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
* If you have a gas stove, install and use an exhaust fan that’s vented to outdoors.
* Open the flue when your fireplace is in use.
Call Sam Pollard & Son at 252-752-3661 to have a professional technician check the appliances in your eastern North Carolina home for potential carbon monoxide leaks.
