Carbon Monoxide Safety

Carbon monoxide safety is important. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odorless, colorless gas. Because it is impossible to see, smell or taste the toxic fumes, it can kill you before you are even aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, carbon monoxide causes flu-like symptoms. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. Depending on the age and the health of the person, the effects can differ greatly.

Carbon monoxide safety must start at home. With some sources of carbon monoxide in the home, such as unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, generators and other gas powered equipment, we should have family safety classes on this important topic.

Make sure your home is carbon monoxide free:

KIDDE 900-0107 Carbon Monoxide Alarm	Carbon Monoxide Detector

There are steps to carbon monoxide safety that families can take to reduce exposure. It is important to be sure combustion equipment is maintained and properly adjusted. Vehicle use should be carefully managed adjacent to buildings. Additional ventilation can be used as a temporary measure when high levels of carbon monoxide are expected for short periods of time. Keep gas appliances adjusted. Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one. Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters. Install exhaust fans vented to outdoors when using a gas stove. Open flues in fireplace when in use. Do not idle the car in the garage with the door shut. Open that garage door first. Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating system annually.

Carbon monoxide measuring devices do exist. Moderately priced real-time measuring is available. Take carbon monoxide safety seriously. Currently there are no standards for carbon monoxide for indoor air. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide alarm. It also urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel burning heaters to detect deadly carbon monoxide leaks. Alarms are designed to detect elevated levels and sound an alarm to alert you and your family of a potential poisoning risk. The presence of an audible alarm may be significant, especially while you and your loved ones sleep. If your alarm sounds, move to fresh air. Go outside the home. Do not re-enter the premises until the emergency services have arrived.

Remember for carbon monoxide safety, carbon monoxide is called the silent killer because it cannot be seen or smelled.

We hope it will never happen to you.a fire. But should it happens, be PREPARED, especially for your child. Develop a safety plan. If your home doesn't have enough safe exits consider purchasing an escape ladder. Install smoke detectors on each floor of your house, within 15 feet of a sleeping area, at a high point of the wall or ceiling as smoke rises, near the furnace and washer and dryer, and the basement ceiling near the steps (not at the top of the basement stairs where the door is closed). Fire extinguishers should be installed in plain view, on the escape route, above the reach of children, and away from stoves and heating appliances.

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Safety Items

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:: Child Safety Gates
:: Baby Monitors
:: Fire Safety
:: Carbon Monoxide
:: Locks & Guards