Today’s subject is not particularly cheerful, but I care about you and want you to stick around for awhile. So let’s talk about a grim subject that 88% of households are not taking seriously enough. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer leading to preventable deaths.
Carbon monoxide is abbreviated CO, in case you have forgotten your high school chemistry. CO is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gas, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. In high levels, CO can kill a human by depriving them of the oxygen they need to live. The fact that it is undetectable by our human senses makes this gas incredible dangerous, a silent killer.
A CO detector is an absolute SAFETY MUST if you have fuel-burning appliances in your home. Hello, we live in Michigan, so I know you do. If something goes wrong with one of your fuel-burning appliances, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can start to circulate in your home.
You should install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, preferably near bedrooms and potential sources of CO. For a typical three-bedroom, two-bath home with an attic and basement, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) recommends four CO detectors.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
Mild exposure to CO can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, irregular breathing, drowsiness and confusion. Severe exposure to CO can cause brain damage and death. Children and the elderly are even more susceptible. Overexposed individuals may simply fall asleep and never regain consciousness.
If you suspect CO exposure, get outside immediately for fresh air and seek emergency medical help. Call the fire department. Do NOT USE any appliance or engine until it has been thoroughly checked out or replaced.
Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide:
- Any oil, propane or natural gas furnace, cooking stove or range, refrigerator, hot water heater, other appliance or fireplace.
- Any wood or wood-burning product such as a wood stove, heat stove, fireplace, wood-pellet stove, box or parlor stove.
- A running car in an enclosed garage.
Sourcing A CO Detector
Verify that the CO detector you purchase has the UL symbol (Underwriters Laboratories) to ensure it has passed safety tests. The UL symbol indicates a 3rd party tested the detector against a widely-accepted safety standard. Unfortunately, there are detectors which have failed to detect exposure to dangerous levels of CO, according to Consumer Reports.
Check Your Existing CO Detectors Today
Just like smoke detectors, monitor your CO detector to ensure it is in working order. A dead detector is just a ceiling decoration. Don’t forget to test your alarms monthly for peace of mind.
Set a time twice each year to replace your CO detector batteries along with any smoke detectors in your home. Daylight savings is a good rule of thumb, since that unfortunate event comes 2x/year, every year. Keep in mind that you also can buy hard-wired or outlet CO detectors which will draw off your household electricity.
Your device should be replaced around the 5-year point. Check for a manufacture date on the back of your device to determine its age.
State Requirements
Many states have recently acted to require home sellers to install carbon monoxide detectors before a home is sold. Some states require home inspections by fire officials to make sure the devices have been installed correctly and are in working order before a home is sold.
In Michigan, new construction must meet certain requirements for CO detectors. Some localities require a CO detector in both owner-occupied and/or rental residences. Regardless of whether your locality requires it, I expect you want to keep living and having CO detectors in your home will further that goal!
How to Prevent CO Poisoning
Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels.
For this reason, properly install appliances and maintain them regularly. Have professional service inspections on a regular basis to ensure that your appliances and chimney are in working order and are venting properly. (Remember last week’s article?!) And, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using any appliance.
Items to add to your “No Way in Hell Will I Ever Do” List
THOU SHALL NOT USE THE FOLLOWING:
- portable generators inside (By inside, I mean in your home, garage, carport, basement or any other enclosed space – use outside and at least 20 feet from your home, away from doors, windows and intake vents.)
- an unvented combustion heater overnight or in a room where you are sleeping
- charcoal grills inside a home, tent, camper, or unventilated garage
- vehicles running in an enclosed garage, even to warm up a car on a cold morning
Carbon monoxide is not a subject that gets widespread coverage, but it is a topic of which you should be aware. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, devastating families and friends with deaths and injuries that were preventable.
Be in touch if you have any questions about CO detectors and as always, sign up for my Weekly Wisdom email if you want my articles straight to your inbox. Take the time today to check your CO detectors. Be sure you have one on every floor or consider getting additional devices. This is the voice of reason in your head, signing off until next week!
