Should I install a carbon monoxide detector?
Absolutely. Deadly carbon monoxide gas is colourless and odourless, and with no detector, you're vulnerable to it. We all know carbon monoxide is produced when a car's engine is running, but it can also be caused by the burning of oil, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, propane or natural gas. A furnace, gas range, water heater, or portable generator are just some of the ways that carbon monoxide can get into your home.
You should be especially careful if you have a wood burning appliance in your home, such as a wood stove, or if you have an attached garage. If a vehicles is left running in an attached garage, the gases can get into the house causing serious injury or death. In Canada, there are approximately 1,000 reported poisonings and 250 deaths per year due to carbon monoxide.
There is a smoke detector in my home. Won't that detect carbon monoxide as well?
No. Fires that are burning or just smouldering create deadly smoke, and that is the only thing that your smoke detector is designed to detect. Carbon monoxide detectors detect the presence of carbon monoxide in the air. Some units are designed to detect both, but carbon monoxide won't be detected by a simple smoke detector. Provincial building codes provide guidelines as to where these units must be located.
Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to sound an alarm before carbon monoxide exposure presents a hazard to a healthy adult. They can either be hard wired or battery-operated. Stand-alone units are available, as well as monitored systems. These are monitored by a central station, and will notify of a carbon monoxide buildup even if the home is empty, or the residents are asleep. They should be approved by the CSA.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
Oxygen in the blood is replaced with carbon monoxide. It can feel like the flu, but higher concentrations, even for a very short time, can lead to breathing difficulties, brain damage, and even death. Impaired judgment, confusion, headaches, drowsiness, chest pains, nausea are just some of the known symptoms. If you, or anyone else, are exhibiting the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning make sure you get outside immediately and call 911 and advise them you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Wait until the fire department says it's safe to go back inside your house.
Safety tips
Some think opening the garage door makes it safe but it's not true, never run your vehicle inside of the garage. Fuel burning heating appliances should be checked once a year by an expert. Chimneys can have leaks or blockages, so have them professionally inspected. And don't forget to open the flue on your fireplace when using it. It seems obvious, but only barbecue in the yard, never in the garage or house. Hire a professional to install cooking or heating equipment to ensure that it's done correctly. Keep in mind that carbon monoxide will not be detected by a simple smoke detector. If you take these simple precautions, you and your family will be much safer in your home.
Absolutely. Deadly carbon monoxide gas is colourless and odourless, and with no detector, you're vulnerable to it. We all know carbon monoxide is produced when a car's engine is running, but it can also be caused by the burning of oil, coal, wood, charcoal, kerosene, propane or natural gas. A furnace, gas range, water heater, or portable generator are just some of the ways that carbon monoxide can get into your home.
You should be especially careful if you have a wood burning appliance in your home, such as a wood stove, or if you have an attached garage. If a vehicles is left running in an attached garage, the gases can get into the house causing serious injury or death. In Canada, there are approximately 1,000 reported poisonings and 250 deaths per year due to carbon monoxide.
There is a smoke detector in my home. Won't that detect carbon monoxide as well?
No. Fires that are burning or just smouldering create deadly smoke, and that is the only thing that your smoke detector is designed to detect. Carbon monoxide detectors detect the presence of carbon monoxide in the air. Some units are designed to detect both, but carbon monoxide won't be detected by a simple smoke detector. Provincial building codes provide guidelines as to where these units must be located.
Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to sound an alarm before carbon monoxide exposure presents a hazard to a healthy adult. They can either be hard wired or battery-operated. Stand-alone units are available, as well as monitored systems. These are monitored by a central station, and will notify of a carbon monoxide buildup even if the home is empty, or the residents are asleep. They should be approved by the CSA.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning
Oxygen in the blood is replaced with carbon monoxide. It can feel like the flu, but higher concentrations, even for a very short time, can lead to breathing difficulties, brain damage, and even death. Impaired judgment, confusion, headaches, drowsiness, chest pains, nausea are just some of the known symptoms. If you, or anyone else, are exhibiting the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning make sure you get outside immediately and call 911 and advise them you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. Wait until the fire department says it's safe to go back inside your house.
Safety tips
Some think opening the garage door makes it safe but it's not true, never run your vehicle inside of the garage. Fuel burning heating appliances should be checked once a year by an expert. Chimneys can have leaks or blockages, so have them professionally inspected. And don't forget to open the flue on your fireplace when using it. It seems obvious, but only barbecue in the yard, never in the garage or house. Hire a professional to install cooking or heating equipment to ensure that it's done correctly. Keep in mind that carbon monoxide will not be detected by a simple smoke detector. If you take these simple precautions, you and your family will be much safer in your home.
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