Carbon Monoxide Detector Buying AdviceCarbon monoxide detectors help detect carbon
monoxide or CO, which is a odorless, invisible gas which is
poisonous. Sometimes, old heaters or gas stoves which are
malfunctioning can release CO gas without you knowing. This
can be a very dangerous situation. Therefore, the invention of
carbon monoxide detectors has helped protect many people.
Carbon monoxide is present at very low leves in the air
naturally. However, if you have a gas powered appliance that
is malfunctioning, CO gas can be emitted at higher levels
which can be dangerous. You should always check that the pilot
flame is burning in the furnace and stove. Also, never leave
your car on with your garage door closed. |
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Carbon monoxide detectors could activate an alarm based on
an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time. Carbon monoxide can
harm you if you are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide in a
short period of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a
long period of time. Carbon monoxide detectors require a continuous
power supply, so if the power cuts off then the alarm becomes
ineffective. When you buy a carbon monoxide detector, make sure the
unit has a back battery source.
When carbon monoxide is
inhaled, it interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange
abilities of red blood cells. The result is that the body becomes
oxygen-starved, which can result in severe tissue damage and death.
Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to
those of the flu or a cold, including shortness of breath on mild
exertion, mild headaches, and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning
lead to dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and
fainting on mild exertion. Ultimately, carbon monoxide poisoning can
result in unconsciousness, permanent brain damage, and death. Carbon
monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to
carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Babies,
children, pregnant women, people with circulatory or respiratory
ailments, and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than
healthy adults.
Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter
than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air,
detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor or
placed it on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or
over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out
of the way of pets and children. Each floor needs a separate
detector. If you getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it
near the sleeping area and make certain the alarm is loud enough to
wake you up. Don't ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before
you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the alarm, get all members of
the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing
any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is
experiencing the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call an
ambulance. If no one has symptoms, ventilate the building, identify
and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before returning
inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as
soon as possible.
Buying suggestions
The newer
carbon monoxide detectors are easy plug in wall units. They also
have battery backups in case of power outage. Make sure that you
read the product descriptions carefully. Carbon monoxide detectors
are one of those devices that must work when you really need them to
work. Hopefully, you will neever need to face that situation, but if
you do, you want to make sure your carbon monoxide detector is
operational. We suggest you do your research online. There are a lot
of good information you can use to help your decision.
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