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For
some people, carbon monoxide detectors might be something they intended
to buy for a long time, but just hadn't gotten around to it.
Others
may have been only vaguely aware of such detectors, if they knew about
them at all.
The
law performs a valuable service if it can spur people in both categories
to get a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon
monoxide (CO) poisoning is a serious threat to many households. The
number of people sickened by carbon monoxide last year topped 1,000,
according to a spokeswoman for the Illinois Poison Control Center.
Carbon monoxide (CO) - What is it?
Carbon
monoxide is a by-product when any fuel is burned without sufficient
oxygen. It's a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas and therefore
difficult to detect. It can make you sick and even kill you before you
know what's happening. Carbon monoxide interferes with your blood's
ability to carry oxygen to your organs.
At
least with a fire, one might smell the smoke or see the flames in time.
But carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, one reason it is called
"the silent killer."
Even
if carbon monoxide doesn't kill you, it can cause permanent damage. The
risk is especially high for the elderly, infants and people with heart
or lung disease.
How
does CO happen?
Harmful CO can occur if there is poor ventilation of fuel-burning
appliances such as gas furnaces, ovens and portable heaters. Fumes from
auto exhaust, generator sets and improperly vented fireplaces, grills,
and wood stoves can also be sources. The chance of CO poisoning during
the winter months can be greater since most homes have the windows
closed.
That's among
reasons why a carbon monoxide detector is as important a smoke detector.
What
are the symptoms of CO poisoning
Beware if everyone in your home having these symptoms at the same time
or only when in the house.
*
Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, headache and coughing.
*
Irregular heartbeat.
*
Pale skin with cherry red lips and ear tips.
If
you suspect CO poisoning, get to fresh air and stay outside. Call 911
or the local fire department.
Is
having a CO detector in my home enough to protect my family, or is there
something else I should do?
By now, people are
well aware of the value of smoke detectors. But too many do not keep
them in proper working order.
It is important that
purchasers of carbon monoxide detectors don't fall into the same bad
habits, such as "borrowing" the batteries for use in another device,
then not replacing them.
How many people
hastily hooked up generators or used their gas stoves for heat - despite
warning to the contrary -during last month's storm-caused power outages?
The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning greatly increases with such
practices.
CO
detectors do work to save lives and having a CO detector in your home
does provide a certain degree of protection. However, the first line of
defense comes from addressing a potential problem before it becomes
serious. Get a Performance Tune-Up for your furnace annually by
contacting a licensed heating and air conditioning company.
A CO
detector can provide a good second line of defense from other possible
sources of CO besides your furnace. But a CO detector should not be
substituted for annual preventative maintenance.
Where should CO detectors be installed?
State law requires the detectors to be within 15 feet of sleeping areas
in homes with attached garages or appliances that use natural gas,
propane, oil and coal - that covers just about everyone.
How
much do Carbon monoxide detectors cost?
Detectors cost between $20 and $60 - pretty cheap for something that can
save your life.
Is
there a penalty if I do not install a
Carbon monoxide detector?
Under the new law, anyone failing to install or maintain a
carbon monoxide
detector can be punished with up to six month in jail and 1 $1,500 fine.
Tampering with, removing, destroying, disconnecting or removing the
batteries from the device could result in up to a year in jail and
$2,500 in fines for a first offence. Additional violations could mean
three years in jail and a $25,000 fine.
The
police and fire department won't be knocking on your door to check for a
detector. This will be largely a self-policing measure.
But
even without strict enforcement, the law can save lives by increasing
awareness. |
