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.
Why You Need To Replace Your Batteries Now!
Does Your Home Have Smoke Detectors?
Today is the Autumn Equinox and since this day is the start of a ‘change’ of season, we are using this date to remind you to change something very important in your home!
If you own your home, and even if you rent, you should be aware of the date you last changed your smoke detector batteries.
Go ahead. Think of the date. We’ll wait a minute…
Can’t recall when it was?
Most people when asked when they last did change their smoke detector batteries will either say
‘I don’t recall‘
or
‘When the alarm started to chirp in the middle of the night because the battery was low‘
Neither of these answers is a very good one!
If you are the responsible adult in charge of the home you need to not only know this, but you need to have a plan to make sure your smoke detectors work when an emergency arises!
Prevention and Detection Are Key To Getting Out Alive During A Fire!
We want you to be safe!
We have a super simple plan for you to implement RIGHT NOW to keep your smoke detectors in working order when they are needed.
Here’s the plan:
- Go to the store and by a multipack of batteries (most smoke detectors take 9V batteries)
- Replace all batteries in all smoke detectors in your home today.
- Pick up your Smartphone. Either place a reminder to change the batteries again on ‘this date one year from now’ in your Google calendar, or in whatever reminder app you might use.
Done!
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Batteries Need To be Replaced As Well!
If this is the first time you’ve heard about Carbon Monoxide Detectors and if you aren’t sure about what they are, what they do and why your home and business needs these, read this first!
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels.
Many people install carbon monoxide monitors that you plug-in to the wall or run on batteries.
Of course, these batteries need to be replaced, too!
While these kind of detectors are great (it’s better to have those than no sensors at all!), they do not have the ability to call for outside help when needed if you are incapacitated.
Therefore, if you have a security alarm system, we recommend hooking up the carbon monoxide sensors right to your security alarm; the carbon monoxide levels in your home or business will be monitored 24/7!
We at Strand Security use Honeywell Total Connect™ for this and 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.
Run To The Store and Get Your Batteries Today!
Whether you decide to change your batteries today, or if you want to wait until the first of the month, the MOST IMPORTANT part of this is that you will ACT and DO IT as soon as possible!
Would you ever go drive your car with a broken seatbelt, or broken brakes?
Would you allow your child to ride a horse or a bicycle without a helmet?
Would you go an a boat that had no life jackets?
NO!
Get the batteries, replace them ASAP and be secure in knowing you are protected in case of an emergency!
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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