How a Carbon Monoxide Detector Can Save Your Life

Every year 10,000 people in the United States are hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning, about 15%, (or 1,500 people) die in the process. Carbon monoxide, the deadly gas created from partially burned fossil fuel such as heating oil, gasoline, natural gas or propane is called the “silent killer” because the victim never sees it coming. It often happens at night, as the victim goes to sleep. The gas infiltrates the bloodstream and replaces oxygen with carbon monoxide (“CO”) until eventually the person simply suffocates. Unfortunately, there is no sudden realization that something has gone horribly wrong, they simply go to sleep…

While not originally a requirement for new homes for most of the 20th century, any home built in the last 10 to 20 years is now required to have CO detectors to pass occupancy inspection. The same holds true for any “work permit” work done on a home. Unfortunately many people have never had work done on their home, or if they do, it is done so illegally and therefore avoided this requirement. Also, even if there is a CO detector in the home, there is no way for authorities to monitor whether it is installed correctly, or even if it has a working battery! In other words, it is fairly easy for someone to avoid using a carbon monoxide detector.

A CO detector could very well save your life, because when you go to sleep, a properly installed and maintained CO detection unit is on and monitoring your safety so you don’t have to. Its sophisticated sensors are constantly testing the air for CO particles and if they rise above a certain point, the alarm sounds, probably scaring the heck out of the occupants of the house in the process.

CO detectors should be installed within 10 feet of every bedroom doorway, and on every floor of the home. It is not recommended that they are installed near a furnace, stove, oven, or any other area that is close to the consumed fossil fuel as this will give off a false reading. Also, never cover up the carbon monoxide detector. Plastic, paper, tape or other material can render the device ineffective.

CO detectors are not only now a state law requirement in all 50 states, but common sense should tell anyone they need them for the safety of the ones that they love. Carbon monoxide detectors are cheap, discrete and could very well save your family’s life.

For more information on carbon monoxide detectors go to Hot Ten Reviews, Carbon Monoxide Reviews.

 

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