According to the Center for Disease Control, over 400 Americans die each year and over 20,000 are hospitalized due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. In 2010, police and fire departments responded to over 80,000 carbon monoxide calls. Last week we were reminded of it's deadly power when tragedy struck a family in Maryland, killing 8 family members, 7 of them children. We're even reminded in our own neighborhoods. Last year in Westchester, NY alone, there were over a half dozen reported cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Similar to fire safety, being vigilant when it comes to preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, will almost always result in keeping your family safe.
In this article we will explain how carbon monoxide is generated and how you can keep your family safe.
WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?
Carbon Monoxide(C/O) is an odorless, colorless gas often called the invisible killer. It is created when a fuel source for your home burns incompletely.
WHAT FUEL SOURCES CREATE CARBON MONOXIDE?
Mostly all fuel sources can create carbon monoxide such as wood, coal, gasoline, natural gas, oil, propane, and methane. Inside your home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Outside the home, generators that are too close to the home or in an attached garage or vehicles can also produce deadly levels of carbon monoxide.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE?
What's important to note is that someone can be poisoned by a small amount of carbon monoxide over a long period of time, as well as a large amount of carbon monoxide over a short period of time. Also, the exposure danger of carbon monoxide is different for each person. There are a number of variables including a victim's health, activity, age, and physical conditions that impact carbon monoxide's exposure.
Some symptoms include shortness of breath, headaches, nausea, dizziness, and loss of consciousness.
WHAT CAN I DO TO STAY VIGILANT?
Unfortunately, we all need fuel to cook and heat our homes. The best way to stay vigilant against carbon monoxide is to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors which are often called C/O Detectors.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors can be purchased at your local convenience store and can cost anywhere from $40-$100. But exactly how many carbon monoxide detectors would you need for your home and where should they be placed? C/O alarms should be installed one per floor, one per bedroom, and one outside each sleeping area. They can be hardwired into your home's electrical supply, battery operated, or plug-ins. It is also important to follow the manufacturers instructions for where it should go(height). You should get into the habit of testing each smoke alarm once per month and following the directions regarding batteries and replacement guidelines.
Another option that we have provided to Westchester homes are monitored carbon monoxide detectors.
WHAT ARE MONITORED CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS?
Monitored carbon monoxide detectors operate on the same principle as the carbon monoxide detectors you purchase from the local store, however, they are connected into your home's existing security system so that when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected, the fire department is called automatically. Monitored carbon monoxide detectors can be hard-wired or battery operated(wireless). They also can be combines with monitored smoke detectors to provide a comprehensive life safety system.
WHAT'S THE BENEFIT OF MONITORED CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS?
Carbon Monoxide, in dangerous amounts, can cause a victim to become unconscious in under ten minutes. What monitored carbon monoxide detectors provide you with is the added comfort that even if a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide entered your home, the fire department will be at your home within a few minutes. If you are unconscious, the monitored carbon monoxide detectors could ultimately save your life.
If you have any questions about carbon monoxide or if you would like to add monitored carbon monoxide detectors to you Westchester home, give us a call at (914)232.0003 or visit us at www.knightprotect.com