|
Category: Home and Apartments : Safety
More and more New Jersey households are installing carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as protection against this colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating hazard. CO, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), is the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. At least 15,000 people die and 10,000 become ill from carbon monoxide poisoning each year. "CO is a gas that is undetectable by human senses, yet it can cause health problems, brain damage and even death," says Voorhees, NJ Fire District Chief Don Maxfield
Where does CO come from?
CO is a by-product of combustion produced by common household appliances such as gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, space heaters and clothes dryers. Barbeque grills, fireplaces, wood burning stoves, gas ovens and car exhaust fumes entering a home from an attached garage are also potential sources for CO in the home. "CO alarms are rapidly taking their place alongside smoke alarms as important, accepted home safety devices," says Maxfield. Just as the increased use of home smoke detectors has dropped the number of fire fatalities by 34 percent in the last ten years, we believe that additional lives can be saved as more and more people install carbon monoxide alarms in their homes", Maxfield continued.
A CO alarm could save your life
Although CO alarms are designed to detect a CVO leak before family members get sick, if the leak is severe enough, flu-like symptoms will appear quickly. "This is particularly common among younger or older family members who are more vulnerable to and less tolerant of this poison," says Maxfield.
However, the good news is that CO poisoning is preventable. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) recommend every home have at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal installed near the sleeping area. "This is very important, says Maxfield, because without a CO alarm's warning, you may not be aware that CO is present, which could result in illness or death."
What to do if your CO alarm activates
Gather all family members together in a pre-designated meeting place and check to be sure that everyone is present.
Determine if anyone is experiencing poisonous symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness or disorientation.
If so, leave the building immediately and call 911. DO NOT re-enter the building until responders say it is safe to do so.
If no symptoms are present, press your CO alarm's reset button and turn off all potential sources of carbon monoxide (any appliance or machine that runs on fossil fuel, such as a gas or oil furnace, water heater, stove, oven, clothes dryer, space heater, fireplace, grill or car left running in an attached garage.
Open all doors and windows to let in fresh air.
Call a trained technician to check your appliances, flue and chimney systems.
"The bottom line is, if you don't have a UL-listed CO alarm, get one. A CO alarm could one day save your life and the lives of your loved ones," Maxfield concluded.
Other Articles in this Category
When Lightning Strikes: The Basics and Safety
by Leslie Wood
How to Avoid Fires in the Kitchen
by Leslie Wood
How to Reduce Risk of Fire with Landscaping
by Leslie Wood
Other Sites
Storkin.com - Baby and
Pregnancy Tips and Discussion
iPhone Games at TouchArcade.com
iPhone Apps at AppShopper.com
Health Articles
Menopause
Symptoms
HIV/AIDS
Symptoms
West Nile
Symptoms
Diabetes
Symptoms
Pregnancy
Symptoms
Read other Articles -
click here.
|
