Carbon Monoxide The Silent Killer

Perhaps the most serious safety concern associated with your gas or oil burning furnace, kerosene heating, gas or wood wood burning stoves is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be fatal if not detected early. CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels. If these appliances are not properly maintained, dangerous levels of CO can be produced threatening the health and even the lives of your family.

Alarmingly, approximately 5,000 people in the United States are treated for CO poisoning each year. This number is probably lower than the actual number of people affected because many individuals who suffer from the flu-like symptoms are misdiagnosed and never receive treatment.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning:

Headaches

Dizziness

Drowsiness

Confusion

Disorientation

Nausea

Vomiting

Weakness

Loss of consciousness

Death - at high levels

If you encounter a sudden onset of more than one of these symptoms or they occur to more than one person in your home at once, act immediately to ventilate your home, remove your family from your home and seek medical treatment to determine the cause of the ailments. Don’t forget to have the level of CO checked by a McElroy’s professional before returning to your residence.

Protect the Most Vulnerable to the Exposure of Carbon Monoxide:

Those most vulnerable to CO poisoning are unborn babies, infants and individuals with anemia or a history of heart disease. For those with chronic heart disease, low levels of carbon monoxide can result in fatigue and increased chest pain. However, it’s important to remember that nobody is immune to the debilitating effects and potentially fatal results, of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Prevent Dangerous Levels of Carbon Monoxide in Your Home:

Make sure your systems are installed correctly.

Proper installation is vital to the safe operation of combustion appliances. New appliances are equipped with installation instructions that should be carefully followed.

•Conform to local building codes.

•Follow manufacturer’s instructions to guarantee proper venting.

•Always use a trained, qualified technician to install combustion appliances.

•If you have any doubts or concerns about the installation of your current appliances, call a McElroy’s professional.

Make sure your systems are properly maintained.

Have your home’s central air and heating appliances, including water heaters and gas dryers, checked annually by a qualified McElroy’s technician.

•This inspection should include:

•Furnace

•Thermostat Controls

•Automatic Safety Devices

•All other electrical and mechanical Equipment

Install one or more UL Certified Carbon Monoxide Detectors in your home.

•CO detectors measure both high concentrations of carbon monoxide over short periods of time and low concentration of CO over long periods of time. Since the effect of CO can be cumulative, both methods of protection are vital. Detectors are designed to sound an alarm before the level of CO in a family member’s system becomes crippling.

•Be aware of low-priced detectors that change color instead of sounding an alarm. These detectors require frequent checking and won’t alert you - or wake you - when a sudden buildup of carbon monoxide is in the air of your home.

McElroy’s recommends using the Pro-Tech Carbon Monoxide Detector, Model #7035.

•Instant Detection and Response Technology

•Peak Level Memory

•Two alarm levels (warning alert if low danger occurs. Loud alert if danger is high.)

•Digital LCD display

•Electrochemical Sensor

•9-Volt Lithium Battery Powered

•Sensor Expiration Signal at 5 Years

•Easy to Install (works best when installs in main living area or hallway.)

•CO Sampling Cycle Every 2 Minutes

•5 Year Limited Factory Warranty

•Costs $80.00 (plus tax) - or about $16.00 a year. A small price to pay to protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Your Home May be in Danger of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, IF . . .

•Decreasing hot water supply

•Unfamiliar or burning odor

•Soot, especially on appliances

•Increased condensation inside windows

Warning Signs of a Possible Carbon Monoxide Problem:

•Improper connections on vents and/or chimneys is present

•Appliances make unusual sounds or emit unusual odors

•An appliance keeps shutting itself off.

Many new appliances come with safety features that prevent operation in unsafe conditions. If you have an appliance that stops operating, it may be due to a dangerous condition. DO NOT IGNORE THIS SAFETY FEATURE! Shut the appliance off and call a McElroy’s technician.

Remember:

•Never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in the home

•Never keep a car running in an attached garage