Carbon Monoxide Detectors – saving you when your senses don’t work

What are Carbon Monoxide Detectors and do I need one?

Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to give you early warning to the presence of carbon monoxide – an odorless, colorless, potentially deadly gas which is produced by incomplete burning of fuels such as coal, wood, kerosene, charcoal, and even natural gas. 

Without a detector you have no way of knowing if you are being exposed. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission the symptoms of low-to-moderate CO poisoning include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath and headache.  A high level of CO poisoning will result in symptoms of vomiting and mental confusion, loss of muscular coordination, unconsciousness and death. Continuous low levels of exposure have been mistakenly diagnosed as flu and if left to continue can have a cumulative effect and ultimately result in death.

To prevent problems from occurring, you should have any fuel burning equipment serviced regularly by a qualified professional; never use portable fuel burning equipment such as camp stoves inside your home, tent or garage; never leave your car running inside your garage even with the door open; and never use un-vented fuel burning heaters in rooms where people are sleeping.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are an inexpensive and easy to install piece of safety equipment for your home.