PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM DEADLY CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic, colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that if inhaled, can be deadly. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 400 people across the United States die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning unrelated to fires. CO fumes from burning fuel – whether it be a car, stove, furnace or generator, can quickly build up inside of an enclosed space. You can succumb to the deadly fumes before even experiencing any symptoms. With winter storms and power outages hitting our area, the risk of CO poisoning increases.
Deadly CO fumes are produced by furnaces, kerosene heaters, vehicles “warmed up” in garages, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, portable generators, or by burning wood or charcoal fires.
Avoiding CO poisoning
There are also steps to take to avoid CO fumes in the first place. Keep your home’s heater and water heater in good repair. Check your chimney annually for any buildup or blockage. During heavy snow, make sure all vents are cleared and remain unblocked. The CDC also recommends purchasing gas equipment only if it carries the Underwriters’ Laboratories seal. Make sure gas appliances are vented properly and inspect them at least once a year. Never start your parked vehicle in a garage that is attached to your house or in an unattached garage unless the door is fully opened. Doing so could cause weakness, confusion and loss of consciousness. A working CO detector will alert you to a rise in the deadly fumes. One on every floor of your home and near or over an attached garage. The CDC recommends a detector with a digital readout, which can tell you the concentration of CO in your home.
When the lights go out
When the power goes out, many people depend on generators to keep their homes and businesses warm. Before you hook up that generator, learn the proper steps to take to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Never use a generator inside of a house, garage or basement. CO from can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Place the generator at least 20 feet away from any doors, windows or other openings. Make sure to use a battery operated CO detector anytime you use a generator. Also, never use a stove, oven, camping stove, charcoal grill or any gasoline-powered equipment in any enclosed space.
CO poisoning symptoms
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal. It can impact you before you even realize there is a problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of CO poisoning can include headache, weakness, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, blurred vision and loss of consciousness. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can succumb to CO poisoning before a problem is recognized. If you
believe you may have CO poisoning, get outside as quickly as possible and call 911.
If you have any questions about residential or commercial alarm systems, call Delco Alarm Systems at 610-494-9100.