How To Keep Your Family Safe from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Carbon Monoxide, What Is It?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is
a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels.
CO is found in fumes produced by furnaces, kerosene heaters, vehicles “warmed up” in garages, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, portable generators, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is Deadly
How deadly is Carbon Monoxide?
Every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning. Most of these accidents happen in the home.
Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning. it is important to know the signs and symptoms of CO Poisoning as to prevent a deadly outcome!
Signs and Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
As CO gas is colorless and odorless, it’s hard to detect without technology!
Here are the general signs and symptoms of CO poisoning per the Mayo Clinic:
- Dull headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Loss of consciousness
If you suspect that you or a family member have nee exposed to this deadly gas, don’t wait. Call 911 immediately and get help!
Carbon Monoxide In Your Home. Where Are the Hazards?
Let’s look at places in and near your home for potential hazards.
Portable Fuel-Burning Camping Equipment
If you are like a lot of South Carolinians, you might have a camping stove among your hurricane supplies. Do NOT use this type of stove inside your home!
Generator
Reality is that we live in a hurricane zone. Many of us have and use generators during and after a hurricane emergency.
Watch this video on how to prevent CO poisoning when using a generator during the hurricane season!
Charcoal
Another potential cause of CO poisoning is charcoal when used inside a home, a garage, or even a vehicle, or tent. Do NOT use charcoal anywhere but outside in a well-ventilated area!
Car Exhaust Fumes
Do NOT leave your car running indoors! If you have an (attached) garage, do not run the engine, even with the garage door open. ONly ever leave your car running outdoors.
Gas Appliances
Any gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home can emit Carbon Monoxide. As a reminder, this gas is odorless and colorless.
Fuel-Burning Appliances
Do NOT use unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping. If they were to malfunction, anyone in the room could be overcome by the deadly gas and never wake up.
Blocked Vents and Blocked Chimneys
Be sure to get your chimney swept each year before using your fireplace, and to not black vents or chimney. CO can build up quickly.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Is Entirely Preventable!
Here is the good news.
CO poisoning is entirely preventable
Prevention + Detection make CO poisoning totally preventable. Carbon Monoxide Detectors are your back up for when an indoor system (like a dryer, oven or stove) fails.
System Sensor carbon monoxide (CO) detectors provide the highest level of CO protection available. Our system-connected devices enable 24/7 central station monitoring that ensures occupants or building management will be alerted if the detector goes into alarm, is disabled, or has reached its six-year end-of-life and needs to be replaced. Furthermore, this system monitoring provides an extra level of protection in cases when occupants are unable to respond to the alarm.
Let Strand Security Install Your CO Detectors!
We recommend your Co Detectors be hard-wired into your existing home security system. Give us a call today and we can make that happen ASAP.
Smart Home. Safe Home. Secure Home.
How Smart Is Your Home?
What do you think; are you smarter than your home?
Guess what?
You do not have to be!
Technology is so advanced and has come so far that your home can do many things you might forget, don’t want tot take care of or just don’t even know how to do!
Imagine that…
We offer several products that can make your home smart!
Z-Wave
Z-wave is the wave of the future.
With over 1700 certified Z-Wave products on the market, it’s no surprise the leading US security companies look to Z-Wave to help families stay connected to their homes and to one another. Z-Wave provides a new level of connected security and peace of mind knowing your investment and your loved ones are safe. If you already have a smart device in your home, it may already have Z-Wave inside. Other smart devices can be added to a Z-Wave network by using a smart hub with Z-Wave inside. If you have questions, just ask us at Strand Security as we are here to help you build the smart home of your dreams.
Universal Remotes
If you are forgetful, or easily aggravated with the total number of remote controls in your home, may we suggest you are ready for a universal remote?
A universal remote is a remote control that can be programmed to operate various brands of one or more types of consumer electronics devices.
Check it out! You can ditch the remotes for your
- TVs
- DVR
- Cable Box
- Stereo System
- Blueray Player
- Fans
- Lights
and get ONE REMOTE that does it all!
Best deal? We will PROGRAM your UNIVERSAL REMOTE for you!
Yes. We will.
Hassle free!
SONOS
What is SONOS?
Sonos is a speaker system that streams your music to any room, or all of the rooms in your house. Small or big, Sonos has a speaker that will compliment each room. The speakers are wireless and deliver a smooth and crystal clear HiFi sound that will help produce magic. This speaker system can stream music from your personal music library or from your favorite music services. Sonos have a versatile design and can easily fit anywhere in your house that you want music. Control the music with the Sonos app on your tablet, PC or smartphone.
Check out these three articles on the Strand Security Blog about SONOS!
Home Surround Sound(s) Better With Sonos Speakers
6 Awesome Sonos Tips for Sports Fans Everywhere
How Safe is Your Home?
Do you know if your home is safe for your family and pets?
Let’s look at the ways we at Strand Security can help you have the safest home for your loved one.
Fire Safety
If your fire alarms are NOT wired into your home security system, you run the risk of being caught unaware when your batteries die and thus being caught without a fire alarm. With a wired alarm attached to your security system, you have the peace of mind to know that authorities will be called in case of a fire, even if you aren’t home, or if you are caught in the fire yourself.
Read “Keeping your family safe from fires – Fire Safety 101” to learn more.
Fire Place Safety
Fire places can provide heat and comfort in those long winter months. They are also a potential hazard if not cared for properly.
The byproduct of enjoying a crackling flame is creosote buildup (the major cause of chimney fires) and soot, which can restrict air flow and damage the fireplace chimney. Even a gas fireplace chimney can become blocked by a bird’s nest or other debris. Prevent problems with an annual chimney inspection.
Read about Chimney Inspections here.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Last but not least, carbon monoxide is a truly silent killer. You home isn’t really safe without a carbon monoxide detector/alarm, again hardwired into your security system!
Do you want to know why that’s important? Do you want to know how to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Read THIS.
How Secure is Your Home?
Last but not least…
Answer this question for us: How Secure is your home?
Can someone easily burglarize your home?
If you aren’t sure, come talk to us at Strand Security!
We can evaluate and give you a few ideas, tips and security system recommendations to secure all that you love!
Even if you live in a so-called safe neighborhood, crime happens and we want to make sure you are “Smart, Safe and Secure” in your home!
How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Your Home or Business
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
We at Strand Security always keep your security and safety in mind as we offer new services to our residential and commercial clients. We currently offer services like
• Residential Security Alarm Systems
• Commercial Security Alarm Systems
• 24Hour Burglar & Fire Alarm Monitoring
• IP Digital Surveillance Cameras
• Honeywell Total Connect Remote Services
• Audio/Video Solutions
• Home Automation
• Home Theater
We also get questions about ‘carbon monoxide’ and how to protect again carbon monoxide poisoning which accounts for about an average of 430 deaths per year in the USA.
Would you like to keep those you love safe from carbon monoxide poisoning?
We have the answers on how to do just that, of course!
Carbon Monoxide; What Is It Exactly?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels.
One of our local TV stations in Myrtle Beach did a story on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning recently, and they have some good information as they talk about ways to avoid CO contact:
- Install a CO alarm.*
- Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home.
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
- Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.
- Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
- During home renovations, be sure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked. Make sure appliances are in proper working order when renovations are complete.
*Note that the FIRST thing on this list is installing a CO alarm and that’s where we come in!
Carbon Monoxide Monitoring
Just like your home and business are monitored and protected with Honeywell Total Connect™, by hooking up the Carbon Monoxide sensors right to your security alarm, the carbon monoxide levels in your home or business will be monitored as well!
Many people install carbon monoxide monitors that you plug-in to the wall and while these are great (it’s better to have those than no sensors at all!), they do not work all of the time and they do not have the ability to call for outside help when needed if you are incapacitated.
Because as we read on the Honeywell Total Connect™ website:
System Sensor carbon monoxide (CO) detectors provide the highest level of CO protection available. Our system-connected devices enable 24/7 central station monitoring that ensures occupants or building management will be alerted if the detector goes into alarm, is disabled, or has reached its six-year end-of-life and needs to be replaced. Furthermore, this system monitoring provides an extra level of protection in cases when occupants are unable to respond to the alarm.
Prevent a Tragedy and Get Carbon Monoxide System Sensors Installed
It’s fairly easy and so worth it to add these sensors to an existing system to keep your family and staff safe. Come talk to us if you think we can help you with carbon monoxide prevention through monitoring.
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