How To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

By Author: Bob Schuster
Total Articles: 4762
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There are many families throughout the United States that face near death experiences with carbon monoxide (CO) every year, or become ill through ongoing low-level exposure. On occasion, the levels of the poison have risen high enough to prove fatal for some people. This gas is an odorless, colorless substance that is widely referred to as the "silent killer". Many people are unaware that they might be living with sources of this poisonous gas in their homes. Fortunately, there are many ways to detect carbon monoxide in buildings, just as there are steps you can take to eliminate the possibility of suffering harm from the gas. The first thing to learn about carbon monoxide is the range of locations in your home where the gas can be produced. Carbon fuels that are not completely burned - kerosene, coal, oil, wood - can make you an unwitting victim of carbon monoxide poisoning, while improper use of many appliances and poor ventilation can cause poisoning, as well. Avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning, then, comes down to preventive home maintenance and careful environmental monitoring.

First things first
Be sure to ...
... have all of your appliances that burn carbon-based fuels (most) serviced frequently and never allow your vehicle to idle in the garage with the door shut. This can cause a high level of poisoning that can affect the body rapidly. Do not attempt to use any items to heat your home that were not intended for that purpose. Charcoal briquettes, for example, have been linked to numerous deaths over the years when used for heating purposes, instead of being used for cooking, outside in a well-ventilated area.

Monitors are essential
Be sure to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, and near the bedrooms especially, as this is a key location for detecting unsafe levels of the gas. There are many carbon monoxide detectors available and you need to remember that purchasing one is a back up move, not a replacement for proper maintenance or use of your home's appliances. There are different types of carbon monoxide detectors on the market - including combination smoke and CO monitors - and due to ongoing research and development you will always have some new choices to make.

As with other appliances and electric/electronic devices, Underwriters Lab (UL) tests CO detectors to ensure proper performance, and "UL-listed" models are the ones you want to lean toward buying, It is important to remember that carbon monoxide is odorless, invisible and cannot be detected by humans until the first symptoms present (dizziness, nausea, flushing). This makes a properly functioning CO monitor a necessity. When you decide to install a monitor in your home, go with a reputable manufacturer whose models have been tested, approved and given the UL seal.

Know your enemy
Make sure everyone in the home knows the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Since there are varying levels of carbon monoxide poisoning that can occur, and different lengths of onset time from very fast to very gradual, you need to know the signs and pay attention when you or a family member shows any of them. Symptoms that are caused by low to moderate levels of poisoning include nausea, dizziness, headache, confusion and fatigue. Since various combinations of these symptoms mimic the flu, as well as other ailments, you might not know when CO poisoning is occurring. Or if the family pet begins to show them - you need to seek medical attention immediately as it is quite possible that carbon monoxide levels in your home are reaching unsafe levels.

If you suspect that CO is poisoning your home, start ventilating the entire house immediately. Open the windows and doors to allow the carbon monoxide to escape and fresh air to flow through all the rooms. If they are adversely affected, take your family to the hospital right away to be treated for the poisoning and notify your local fire department. The fire department can determine where the CO is coming from so that you can get the leak repaired, immediately and permanently. Once the home has been ventilated and aired out properly, you will be able to return.

Knowledge is half the battle when it comes to the detection of carbon monoxide. The more you know, the better off you'll be when trying to keep your family safe from exposure and possible poisoning. Read about carbon monoxide poisoning and ways to prevent an occurrence and, as always, it's best to have CO detectors in place for peace of mind. You can also contact your local fire department for more information. Carbon monoxide is hard to detect, which is why it's been called the silent killer - but there are ways to break the silence, keep the gas at bay and make sure your home and family are safe.
About Author:
Bob Schuster is a leading intellectual property and commercial litigation lawyer. He has one millions for his clients and serves the entire US.