Carbon Monoxide- The Silent Killer in Your Home
Monday, October 28, 2013
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Last year, Halesite Fire Department responded to 49 alarms related to CO.
The truly dangerous thing about CO is that a person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time and not feel the symptoms, or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time. That's why CO detectors are so important.
Keep these important points in mind:
. CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for placement and mounting height.
. Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
. If the CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for. Call us from a fresh-air location and stay there until we arrive.
. If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
. During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
. A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.
. Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO - only use outside.
If you have not yet picked up your FREE CO/Smoke detector from us, please come down to the fire house to do so; it could save your life!
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