Focus: Avoiding exposure to Carbon Monoxide in Your Home
If you are reading this, we know you probably know that Carbon Monoxide detectors need to be installed outside of every sleeping area, on every level of your home, near your garage, and near any appliances that may give off some CO.
But, did you know that before the detectors, stopping the carbon monoxide at it's source should be your first line of defense?
This means getting your appliances checked by a registered contractor to check for leaks, and to ensure that there is no build-up of carbon monoxide happening.
ALSO: For the winter months - PLEASE make sure that your B-Vents or air vents for your fireplaces DO NOT GET BLOCKED BY SNOW during a storm.
"Carbon Monoxide (CO) is known as the silent killer. It is colorless and odorless and can cause sudden illness and even death when not monitored. Carbon monoxide poisoning increases during the winter" - The University of Utah
In situations where the carbon monoxide unit is not functioning or installed, we want to give you some warning signs of exposure to the silent and deadly gas:
Nausea
Headaches
Dizziness
Confusion
Drowsiness
Loss of consciousness
Death...
If you live in an apartment building or condo, a carbon detector must be installed in the service room, but does not count as protecting that floor - it still has to be in each individual apartment near every bedroom or point of carbon monoxide entry.
What do you do if your carbon alarm goes off?
Get everyone out - immediately - And call the fire department from safety.
Just like a baby bag ready to go for the hospital, maybe having a "bug out bag" and all outdoor items available with you in your bedroom would be handy to grab.
It would contain a blanket or two, hats, mitts, socks. and extra shoes to help you be comfortable if you are waiting outside for the fire department to arrive.
However, the fire department does have excellent response time.
What Appliances or Items Can Cause Carbon Monoxide?
Your furnace
Space heaters
Fireplaces
Generators
Hot water heater
Wood Stoves
Kitchen Stoves and Grills
Gas/Charcoal Barbeque
Hot water heater
Vehicles
Lawnmowers
Snow Plows
Propane Tanks
Your fire places
Who Can you Call to Check Your Detectors and Appliances?
If you are renting, please reach out to your landlord or super intendant to do so if they are not already doing inspections for that reason.
If you visit CO Safety, they have so much information regarding this topic, as well as a list of local contractors who can inspect your appliances and home for the warning signs of carbon monoxide leakages.
After that, your best line of defense is to have a monoxide detector near all the above mentioned places that can create carbon monoxide.
Wrapping up our article on carbon monoxide awareness week
We just want to leave you with this take away; When your CO devices are properly installed and working along with properly maintained appliances and equipment that would create CO exposure, if any harmful gas is produced, it can be prevented from reaching unsafe levels in your home. If you do experience symptoms that are strange and mimic the flu and extreme fatigue, get out immediately.
Extra Resources and Reading Suggestions
Did you know that we do Respirator fit mask testing as well as Confined Space Awareness that covers layering of gases and gas vapour density? Yes - Contact us to find out more.
Read here for more information about carbon monoxide alarms and Fire Code requirements
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