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Carbon Monoxide
"The Silent Killer" |
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What Is Carbon
Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide
(CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that comes from burning fossil fuels
such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, oil, and methane.
When these fuels burn incompletely, CO is
produced. Home heating and cooking appliances can produce CO if damaged
or misused. Vehicles such as cars, trucks, tractors, and lawn mowers
are also a source of CO. Any motor allowed to run indoors can produce
dangerous levels of CO. |
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It is estimated
that 1,500 people die annually due to accidental Carbon Monoxide
exposure, and an additional 10,000 seek medical attention.
Many doctors say that it is difficult to determine
the total number of CO related incidents because the symptoms of CO
poisoning closely resemble many other common ailments.
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Flu-like symptoms
are an early indication of low level CO poisoning. More serious
exposure can lead to dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches,
fainting, feeling tired, and even death.
Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental
poisoning deaths in the United States, according to the Journal of the
American Medical Association (JAMA). |
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What
Should I Do If My CO Detector Alarm Goes Off?
> Make sure no one is experiencing any signs
of CO poisoning.
> If symptoms of CO poisoning are present, every one should exit the
building leaving the doors open as you go.
> GET IMMEDIATE MEDICAL HELP!
> Use a neighbor's telephone or cell phone (outside) to report the
alarm and follow the instructions given.
> If symptoms of CO poisoning are not present, open the windows
and doors, shut down heating and cooking equipment.
> Call a qualified technician to inspect and service your
equipment.
> Be on the look out for symptoms of CO poisoning.
> IF IN DOUBT
GET OUT OF THE BUILDING AND CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. |
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CO Producing
Devices
Around The Home |
Fuel fired furnaces (non-electric)
Gas water heaters
Gas stoves
Gas dryers
Fireplaces and Woodstoves
Gas and charcoal grills
Lawnmowers, snowmobiles, and other yard equipment
Automobiles |
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Remember... Carbon Monoxide Detectors
ARE NOT Smoke Detectors.
Install a Smoke Detector on each level of your home and one outside each
sleeping area. |
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Fire Safety and Smoke
Detectors |
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Statistics
show that, on average during our lifetime, each of us can expect to be
involved in two or three fires serious enough to call the fire
department. |
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Plan Ahead |
People who have planned in
advance what to do in a fire emergency and have the determination to
survive are most likely to do so. Those who deny danger, feeling that
fire will never happen to them, are most apt to succumb. |
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Install smoke
detectors on every level of your home.
If you sleep with your bedroom door
closed, install a smoke detector in the bedroom. The presence and
proper maintenance of smoke detectors increase your chances of surviving
a fire by 50%. Fire officials say that 90% of the victims they find in
a fire look like they're asleep, the only difference is their faces are
dirty from the soot because they died from the smoke and gases. When
you're asleep you can't smell smoke, if anything smoke can put you into
a deeper sleep. Most people die in the first 5 minutes of a fire. |
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Test smoke
detectors once a month, record the date,
and replace dead batteries. Keep spare batteries on hand and warn
everyone in your household to leave working batteries in the smoke
detectors. A smoke detector that doesn't work is like having no smoke
detector at all. |
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10 Tips on How & When
To Use A Fire Extinguisher |
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1. Most fires
start small. Except for explosions,
fires can usually be brought under control if they are attacked
correctly with the right type and size of extinguisher within the first
two minutes!
2. A fire extinguisher should
be "listed and labeled" by an independent testing laboratory.
The higher the rating number on an A or B
extinguisher, the more fire it can put out. Be careful, high-rated
units are often heavier models. Make sure you can hold and operate the
model you are buying. |
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3.
A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and
property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire
department arrives.
Before attempting to fight a small fire be sure everyone is out
of the building. It is important to have someone call the fire
department. If the fire starts to spread or threatens your escape path,
get out immediately!
4. The operator must know how
to use the extinguisher, quickly, without taking the time to read
directions during an emergency. Remember
that extinguishers need care and must be recharged after every use.
IF YOU FIGHT A
FIRE, REMEMBER THE WORD
PASS
...
Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep |
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PULL |
5.
Pull the pin.
Some extinguishers require releasing a
lock latch, pressing a puncture lever or other motion. |
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AIM |
6.
Aim low,
pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or it's
horn or hose) at the base of the fire. |
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SQUEEZE |
7.
Squeeze the handle.
This releases the extinguishing agent. |
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SWEEP |
8.
Sweep from side to side
at the base of the fire until it appears to be out.
Watch the fire area in case the fire
breaks out again, and repeat use of extinguisher if necessary. |
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9.
Most portable extinguishers work according to these
directions, but some do not. Read and follow the directions on your
extinguisher.
If you have the slightest doubt about whether or not
to fight a fire - DON'T!
Get out and close the door behind you.
10.
Ask your fire department about training and practice
in the use of portable fire extinguishers.
Many fire departments offer training
sessions to the public. |
