Your Childrens Health

Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home helps to protect your family from this dangerous, otherwise undetectable gas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is colorless and odorless, but at high enough levels it can kill a person quickly.  Co is present whenever a fuel is burned, such as kerosene, propane, wood, oil, gas, or charcoal.  The appliances that burn these fuels are designed to protect the CO from escaping into the air, but when one malfunctions it may be impossible to tell.

Cars also produce Co.  Each year, hundreds of people die from accidental CO poisoning.  Because it cannot be detected by sight or smell, it can quickly overwhelm a person, making them feel drowsy, nauseous, confused or lethargic.  If the person breathes in enough CO, they will fall unconscious and may not wake up.  Breathing the gas at low levels over a period of time could do serious damage to your health, or that of your child.

CO detectors should be present throughout your home.  They should be tested each month, just as you would check your fire detectors.  This is an easy step that you can take to protect your family.  Other measures that you can take to reduce the chance of CO poisoning are:

• Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a licensed professional at the beginning of each heating season.
• Have all appliances professionally installed, and vented to the outside of the house.
• Never leave your car running in the garage, even with the door open.  CO can build up quickly and seep into the living areas of your home.
• Never use a charcoal grill inside your home, even with the windows open.
• Do not use any appliance that burns fuel, such as a chain saw or grill, inside your home or garage.

Install several CO detectors throughout your home.  Do not rely on one to protect you in the case of a leak.  Test them regularly and teach your children the importance of having them in proper working order.

If anyone in your family shows signs of CO poisoing, take them to fresh air and call an ambulance immediately.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 9th, 2006 at 1:44 am and is filed under Uncategorized, Medical Care, Allergies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.