Carbon monoxide, also generally referred to as the invisible killer, is a gas that is both colorless and odorless whenever fuels do not burn completely. These fuels include the following:
*Wood
*Gasoline
*Propane
*Methane
*Oil
*Coal
*Natural gas
Inside any home, any cooking and heating equipment that burn fuel are all possible sources of carbon monoxide, as are motor vehicles and generators that run in an attached garage, both of which can end up producing dangerous amounts of this substance.
According to statistics, back in 2016, local fire departments ended up responding to approximately 79,600 incidents related to carbon monoxide, which translates to around nine calls per hour. This doesn’t include the approximately 91,400 carbon monoxide alarm malfunctions, as well as the 68,000 unintentional alarms. Furthermore, according to the National Center for Health Statistics at the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, 399 people ended up dying of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning back in 2017.
Perhaps one of the most important things that can help protect you, your family, and your home from this dangerous substance is a carbon monoxide detector; however, there are a few important tips regarding safety that should be followed in order to ensure that you are as protected as possible.
Here are four of the most important safety tips involving carbon monoxide alarms to consider making note of.
*First and foremost, all carbon monoxide alarms should always be installed on every level of a home, as well as outside each sleeping area and in other locations that are required by local laws, standards, and/or codes. It’s also important to ensure that the alarms are placed in a central location in these same areas. Furthermore, in order to ensure the maximum amount of protection, make sure that you interconnect all carbon monoxide alarms throughout your home, which will cause all of them to sound when a single one sounds.
*In the event that a carbon monoxide alarm were to sound inside your home, it’s essential that you immediately move you and your family outdoors in order to ensure that you receive fresh air. If this is not possible, move to a window or door that is open. Regardless of which location you end up going to, take the time to make sure that everyone is accounted for. Once you do, contact emergency services and remain in your current location until they arrive.
*Always take the time to test all of your carbon monoxide alarms at least once per month. Furthermore, read through the manufacturer’s instructions and replace them according to what is listed there. Never attempt to take any shortcuts when it comes to carbon monoxide alarm maintenance.
*In the event that you end up needing to warm one of your vehicles, be sure that you immediately remove it from your garage after you start it. Never run a vehicle or other engine or motor inside, even if your garage door is open. Additionally, ensure that the exhaust pipe of your vehicle is not covered with any amount of snow in order to ensure that all of the exhaust is able to properly escape.
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