Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. It is impossible to see, smell or taste it. But this hard to detect toxic gas can attach itself in the blood supply when breathed and block the flow of oxygen to the brain and other important organs of the body. After some time, lack of oxygen can cause the body to shut down and without proper medical treatment, it can lead to death.
All household devices that burn fuel can become a source of this toxic gas. Most homes have inadequate ventilation due to our continuous quest for energy efficiency. Carbon monoxide leaks in such homes can result in accumulation of the deadly gas and the result can be fatal. Automobiles, gas stoves and driers, gas fueled furnaces, fireplaces and wood stoves are just some of the household devices that can produce this deadly fume.
All homes will have at least one, it not several, of these carbon monoxide producing devices. You should know how to defend yourself and your family against carbon monoxide poisoning and how to minimize the damage to someone already affected.
Nausea, headaches, lightheadedness, unexplained exhaustion and flue like signs are the first indicators of carbon monoxide poisoning. These signs will become less obvious when they stay out for periods of time but will immediately return when they come home. Young and elderly members of the family are the ones that can easily affected by these symptoms.
There can also some physical signs of carbon monoxide presence in your home. Small water droplets could cling on the walls and indoor air may feel musty and stifling. Strong smell of gas might be experienced when the stove or other heating devices that burn fuel are turned on. The pilot flame will also be burning at a lower temperature, evidenced by its yellow orange color and not blue when burning properly.
White dusty powder that looks like soot will also cling around the exhaust ventilation or chimney and the pilot light on the furnace and water heater will sometimes flame out for unknown reason.
Majority of victims of carbon monoxide poisoning die in their sleep when they breathe the deadly fumes at night. Leaking appliances are the major cause of carbon monoxide deaths and most of the victims are not even aware that they have faulty appliances. That is the reason why you should consider installing a carbon monoxide alarm to detect carbon monoxide indoors.
A carbon monoxide detector is a must when especially when your home is equipped with appliances that burn fuel and are therefore a possible source of carbon monoxide leaks. You should choose one that is user friendly and has the capability to detect all of the possible gas hazards at home. When you value your family’s safety and health, a carbon monoxide detector could be the wisest investment you can ever make.
Get more info on Mark A Cella and the exposure of CO toxic gas in your house.
categories: carbon monoxide,poisoning,gas,plumbing,safety,households