What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is deadly, plain and simple. CO, or one part carbon atomically combined with one part oxygen, is an odorless, colorless gas formed primarily with the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, charcoal, wood, or other substances. Propane and natural gas furnaces create carbon dioxide. Your vehicle’s engine does, too, and so does the charcoal grill on the deck out back. Space heaters, boilers, fire places, wood stoves, generators, water heaters and clothes dryers may all be culprits in emitting toxic amounts of CO. When appliances or equipment are properly vented, there is usually no problem. However, when there is a leak in the appliance or in its venting system, carbon monoxide may enter the living space in your home. When it is breathed, it robs the blood stream of the oxygen every cell in the body requires to survive. Cell or organ damage, including irreversible brain damage, can happen quickly, and CO poisoning leading to death is surprisingly common.

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The effects of CO concentrations that are toxic usually begin with a headache, feelings of drowsiness, and possibly tingling in the extremities. As the poisoning deepens, dizziness may ensue, followed by impaired judgment or convulsions. Unless the victim is immediately removed from the toxic area, coma or unconsciousness will occur, with death to follow.

The good news is that this silent killer can now be easily detected in your home with a number of kinds of very effective detectors that use advanced sensors to monitor the levels of carbon monoxide in your home. Most state laws now mandate that sleeping areas contain a CO detector, and home safety experts recommend at least one additional detector be placed on every level, with extra detectors being in close proximity to the furnace and hot water heater.

You have the option of choosing from several effective styles of CO detectors. Hard wired units work like smoke detectors – when one unit detects CO, it signals all the units to go off. It is important when installing this type to make sure they have battery back-up for times when the power is out, and families are more likely to turn to CO emitting forms of back-up heat or light. Other common models simply plug into standard outlets, making it easy and affordable to add CO protections. Many of these CO alarms are combined with a smoke detector, since the two dangers are often found together. These units feature dual sensors for optimized protection. Some CO detectors employ a blaring beep to sound the alarm, while newer models feature a spoken voice, which studies show as more effective in waking up sleeping victims. You will even find models that feature the option of recording your own voice on the alarm, which may be the most effective means of waking a sleeping spouse or child.

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CO detector alarms are effective protection at very affordable prices. Make the investment today that might just save a life!