Take carbon monoxide safety seriously

Carbon monoxide is called the “silent killer” because humans cannot see it, smell it, or taste it. And since exposure to this deadly gas mimics the flu, making it very hard to diagnose, it is little wonder that CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North America.

Yet with all the facts proving its deadly consequences, and the many potential CO sources in our homes, Canadian safety experts are baffled as to why carbon monoxide alarms have been slow to catch on.

“Like smoke alarms, it takes time for people to adopt new technologies even if they can save your life,” says Carol Heller, a home safety specialist with Kidde Canada. “It's an issue of education. Many Canadians think they don't need a carbon monoxide alarm because they have an electric stove. But they completely overlook the fact that they have a gas water heater, a gas furnace, a gas or wood fireplace, or a garage or carport attached to their house. All these are potential sources of CO.”

Natural gas and wood are fossil fuels that give off carbon monoxide as a by-product when they are burned. So long as carbon monoxide is vented out of the home there is no danger. However if appliances or heating systems are not properly maintained, or chimneys and vents become blocked or cracked, that deadly CO can seep back into your home…and you won't even know it.

That's why CO safety step one is always having your appliances and heating systems checked professionally each year. CO safety step two is to install carbon monoxide alarms.

“Once people understand how many potential sources of the silent killer are in their home, CO alarms get installed pretty quickly,” Heller says. “But only 40 per cent of Canadians have a CO alarm, so there is a huge need to continue to spread the word.”

Installing one CO alarm per floor is recommended by the National Fire Protection Association but, at a minimum, install one outside sleeping areas. You may want to consider today's most popular CO alarms that have a digital readout.

“A digital readout tells you of any level of CO in your home,” Heller adds. “You can take action before the gas reaches dangerous levels.”

More CO safety tips are available online at www.safeathome.ca.

www.newscanada.com