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Tuesday, 07 November 2023 22:18

The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors Featured

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Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, killing approximately 1,500 people annually, and causing 10,000 more to seek emergency medical care. Because CO poisoning can resemble other common illnesses, it's important to recognize the symptoms and seek medical attention if you think you or a family member has been sickened by carbon monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Alarm

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Weakness

  • Upset stomach or vomiting

  • Chest pain

  • Confusion

These symptoms are often mistaken for the flu, which can be dangerous.

Installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Proper placement of a CO detector is important. If you only have one carbon monoxide detector, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that it be near the sleeping area, where it will wake you if you are asleep. We recommend having a CO detector on every level of your home directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances to alert you as soon as possible of a CO leak.

How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?

CO detectors use various technologies, such as electrochemical sensors or metal oxide semiconductors, to measure CO levels in the air. When the gas concentration reaches a dangerous level, the detector sounds an alarm, alerting you to the danger.

Optimal Placement of CO Detectors

For maximum effectiveness, CO detectors should be installed:

  • On every level of your home, including the basement
  • Near sleeping areas to ensure alarms can be heard
  • At least 15 feet away from heating or cooking appliances to avoid false alarms

How Can You Prevent Carbon Monoxide From Accumulating In Your Home?

An annual heating system tune-up is essential to maintaining the safety and reliability of your gas furnace. Your technician will clean and check the furnace burners and test for the presence of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide can be produced from any fuel-burning appliance. Common sources in homes include:

  • Gas or wood-burning fireplaces
  • Gas kitchen ranges
  • Furnaces and boilers
  • Gas water heaters
  • Automobiles running in attached garages

All fuel burning appliances should be checked to ensure they are properly vented to the outside of the house.

As with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors should be tested regularaly to ensure that the alarm is functioning.

Read 2825 times Last modified on Thursday, 23 November 2023 15:05
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