RECENT TRAGEDY
There have been several
recent tragedies that could have been prevented if the family involved just knew
about carbon monoxide and its affects on the body.
A Long Island Doctor from
Nassau County recently came home from work to find the front door of his home
bolted from the inside. Nothing would arouse the occupants, so in a panic he kicked
the door open to find everyone in his home dead. This included his two-year-old
daughter, his parents, two family friends and their Nanny. The night before, he
had disconnected his home's carbon monoxide detector, because he thought it was
malfunctioning when it kept sounding an alarm.
What had happened was
that with unseasonably hot weather both the natural gas furnace and the air conditioning
unit (which were located in a single utility room) were turned on. The air conditioner
had one vent, which was shut for the winter, and another, which was clogged with
leaves. So, the air conditioner was only drawing air from the utility room. The
air conditioner was causing a back draft, sucking the air down the flue of the
heater and recirculating it through the house. Carbon monoxide levels were so
high in the house that anyone who went inside the house was instantly overcome
with carbon monoxide. This entire incident could have been avoided if this family
had known about carbon monoxide and what to do when the carbon monoxide detector
sounds.
CARBON MONOXIDE CLUES
Certain clues can signify
a problem with carbon monoxide. They include: rusting or water streaking on a
vent or chimney; loose or missing furnace panels; sooting, loose or dis-connected
vent or chimney connections; debris or soot falling from chimney; fireplace or
appliances; loose masonry in chimney or moisture inside a window. Yellow or orange
flames in a gas appliance are also not good. Be very careful of a faulty chimney,
fireplace or a woodburning stove. They can be a possible source of carbon monoxide.
SYMPTOMS OF CARBON
MONOXIDE
- Flu like symptoms with
no fever
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Irregular Breathing
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Confusion
SAFETY PROOF YOUR
HOME
You can prevent carbon
monoxide by safety-proofing your home and purchasing a carbon monoxide detector.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO
- Have
an annual home inspection by a qualified home inspector:
Have them inspect your heating and air-conditioning
systems, your chimney and all appliances
- Be
sure all fuel sources such as gas ranges, fireplaces,
portable heaters and furnaces are operating properly.
- Be
very careful of your automobile fumes if you have
an attached garage. Be sure the garage door is always
open. Do NOT ever run your motor in the garage. Back
your car out of the garage as soon as you start the
motor, and turn the motor off as soon as you enter
the garage.
- Make
sure all appliances are installed according to all
manufactures instructions and to the specific building
codes.
- Have
an annual chimney sweep.
- Never
burn charcoal in the garage or in the home.
- Never
operate an unvented fuel-burning appliance in a closed
room.
- Never
use gas range burners or oven for heating.
- Be
sure all appliances are operating properly, and if
they are not, do not use them until you have them
checked.
PURCHASE A CARBON MONOXIDE
DETECTOR
A Carbon Monoxide Detector is a device that you install
in your home to detect the presence of carbon monoxide.
It is an early warning device. You should have one on
each floor of your home, near the bedrooms, garage door,
kitchen, furnace and other combustible sources.
Be sure that the detector meets the new standards of
Underwriters Laboratories The standard is UL 2034. Be
sure that the product has been manufactured after October
1998. Carbon monoxide detectors have different features.
I recommend that the detector have a digital reading,
so that you can tell immediately what the reading is.
Carbon Monoxide detectors can be both hard-wired, plug
in and battery operated. Kidde-Safety has produced a
new combination smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector,
which has voice actuation. It actually speaks to you
to let you know whether the problem is smoke, and fire
or carbon monoxide.
Be sure your family knows about Carbon Monoxide. Purchase
a Carbon Monoxide detector. Practice with your family
what the carbon monoxide detector sounds like when it
alarms. Discuss what to do if the alarms should sound.
Unborn babies, young children, pregnant women, senior
citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems
are especially vulnerable and are at the highest risks
for death or serious injury from carbon monoxide fumes.
Many cases of reported carbon monoxide poisoning indicate
that victims are unable to save themselves by either
exiting the dwelling or calling for assistance. If carbon
monoxide should be suspected, immediately evacuate your
home and get everyone fresh air. Call 911 and do NOT
reenter your home under any circumstance.
Fires are traumatizing and frightening as is a carbon
monoxide incident. It is essential to fully recognize
the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning and to take
preventative action. It is important to know what a
carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds like. A regular
home inspection, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire
extinguishers and an emergency exit plan will help you
and your family live more safely.
FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION
For further
information on carbon monoxide, please utilize the following resources.Kidde-Safety
Consumer Hot Line: 1-800-880-6788 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: 1-800-638-CPSC
purchase a copy of my new book "Safety and You" published by SU Press: 1-800-
365-8929
[ Nancy
Harvey Steorts | Check Out Our Message
Boards |
Back to Experts' Advice | Ask
A Question ]
