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They say where there is smoke there is fire, this can be a
good thing, because at least you can see and smell the smoke.
However in the case of carbon monoxide or CO, you can't see
it, touch or even smell it, which makes carbon monoxide a
greater threat than fire.
Even though fire kills and injures
more people in a year than carbon monoxide gas this doesn't
mean that this silent killer should be put on the back burner,
so to speak. CO is the leading cause of death by poisoning
in North America.
Carbon Monoxide results from the
incomplete combustion of liquid or solid fuels such as natural
gas, firewood, kerosene, etc. and it's sources include malfunctioning
furnaces or cooking appliances, vehicle exhaust, blocked chimneys
or vents, fireplaces (wood or gas) that are not venting properly.
The initial signs of CO poisoning
are similar to the flu and include headaches and dizziness.
Later symptoms are nausea, tightness in the chest and can
lead to brain damage, coma and death. A good indication of
CO poisoning is that everyone in the building would be suffering
from the same flu like symptoms at the same time, it would
be unlikely that the flu virus would strike everyone in such
a matter.
The unfortunate part is that CO
is invisible, so is the deadly threat it poses to humans and
animals.
How do you prevent CO poisoning?
A good place to start would be to insure the proper maintenance
of all fuel burning devices in the house and the venting systems
for these appliances. The following are examples of what to
look for:
-
make
sure the chimneys for fireplaces, hot water tanks and
furnaces are clean and clear,
be sure to check for animal nests and even dead
animals!
-
have
your furnace checked over by a qualified service technician-a
cracked heat exchanger is a common problem and will result
in exhaust gases leaching into the house -if your garage
is attached to your house make sure there are no direct
openings into the house, such as a dryer or range hood
vent (these vents are not allowed to be exhausting into
a garage) and or
holes and cracks. Use caulking and or foam to seal small
holes and cracks, use ˝" drywall, taped with 2 coats
of compound for larger areas. The Ontario Building Code
requires attached garages to be gas-proofed.
-
gas
burning cooking appliances must have a mechanical venting
device such as a range
hood or exhaust fan and be venting directly to
the exterior of the building. Check with
your local Building Dept. for the required distances
from windows and doors, you do not want the exhaust gases
to be blowing back into the building through an open window
or door!
Another means of preventing CO poisoning is to install CO
detector. These devices are readily available and are inexpensive,
ranging in price from about $35.00 to $80.00, downright cheap
protection for you and your loved ones. CO detectors come
in various models, some will plug into a standard electrical
outlet, some are battery powered, some are wired directly
to the electrical system and have a battery back-up. With
such a wide choice of models there is no reason why you should
not have one in your house or apartment.
CO detectors should be installed
on every level of the house, especially by the bedrooms. Do
not install a one in the furnace room, rather just outside
the room.
So what do you do if your CO detector
alarms or you or your family are showing signs of CO poisoning?
Leave the house immediately!!!!
Call the Fire Dept. from a phone outside the house.
The Fire Dept. recommends that you do not open any windows
or doors to let fresh air in, just leave the building and
let the Fire Dept. determine where the source of the CO is-they
can't do this if you ventilate the house.
Well I hope you plan to install CO
detectors in your house, right away. Oh, by the way, while
you are at it make sure you have working Smoke Detectors!!
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