Let’s talk about Carbon Monoxide. It’s something that most people understand in the sense that “they should have a detector” but many people don’t really understand why or what carbon monoxide is. Here are some key factors to help you become a little more informed. The role of a detector is that once high levels of carbon monoxide are detected, you are alerted so that you can immediately vacate the area to an area with fresh air so that you can call 911.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms
It’s tasteless and odorless, so it’s not immediately apparent there is a problem. The symptoms include dizziness, nausea, headaches, general confusion or fainting. Some of these are dangerous because they resemble the same symptoms as the flu. If you pass out, it can be life threatening depending on the levels present in the home.
Unlike iocane powder you can’t simply switch cups. Each year over 400 people die in the US from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and another 20,000 are admitted to hospitals.
What to Do
If someone in the home experiences these symptoms, but you do not have a detector, quickly walk outside into fresh air. This should reveal pretty quickly if you begin to feel better, but you may still have toxic levels of CO in your system and still require medical aid. Call 911, and it may be a good idea to have everyone that has spent significant amount of time in the home checked for poisoning – including pets!
We recommend that you add carbon monoxide detectors to your home security – they can be separately installed or bundled with other devices. While you don’t often hear of poisoning occurring, this is something you will be glad you invested the meager amount into if your detectors alert you to a problem in the home.
Detectors come in a variety of options, including hardwiring and battery operated models with a variety of features. Even a simple battery operated model outside the main sleeping areas of your home is a minor investment and can potentially save the lives of those in your home one day.
Talk to a professional today at Central Alarm if you don’t already have detection in your home, or you are considering adding fire and smoke alarms to your home security.
