Carbon Monoxide
Detectors
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that comes from
burning fossil fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil and methane.
When fossil fuels burn incompletely, CO is produced. CO can be produced
by: Gas clothes dryer; Portable heater; Leaking chimney pipe or flue from a
furnace or gas water heater; Improperly installed gas kitchen range or cook
top vent; clogged chimney; blocked chimney opening; operating a barbecue
grill in enclosed areas, such as the garage; or Auto exhaust fumes from an
attached garage.
Carbon Monoxide replaces the oxygen that is in your blood stream; this
can lead to suffocation. First indications are flu like symptoms, such as
headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion and irritability. As
Carbon Monoxide levels build up in the blood stream, the symptoms become
worse and may include, vomiting, loss of consciousness, and eventually brain
damage or death.
You can protect your family by installing Carbon Monoxide (CO)
detectors. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends
installing at least one CO detector per household, near the sleeping area.
A second detector will provide extra protection. Choose Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) listed detector that sounds an audible alarm.
In addition to installing CO detectors, consumers should regularly
inspect and service potential problem sources of Carbon Monoxide.
REMEMBER - CO detectors ARE NOT smoke detectors. Install a smoke
detector on each level of your home and one outside each sleeping area.
Any Questions? E-Mail: ehvfc12@hotmail.com
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Last updated March 16, 2006