Kidde KN-COB-DP-H Manual page 10

Carbon Monoxide Safety
Protecting Your Family from CO poisoning
To be safe, know the possible sources of CO in your
home. Keep fuel-burning appliances and their chimneys
and vents in good working condition. Learn the early
symptoms of CO exposure, and if you suspect carbon
monoxide poisoning, move outside to fresh air and get
emergency help.
The first line of defense is an annual inspection and
regular maintenance of your appliances. Contact a licensed
contractor or call your local utility company for assistance.
Problems can begin after an inspection is over, like a
crack in a furnace heat exchanger, or a leak in a water
heater vent or a bird's nest blocking a flue or other
sources that are nearly impossible to detect. That's why
you need the 24-hour protection provided by a CO alarm.
Home Safety Tips
• Buy only appliances approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory.
• Choose fuel-burning appliances that can be vented to
the outdoors, whenever possible.
• Make sure appliances are installed according to
manufacturer's instructions and local building codes.
Most appliances should be installed by professionals
and should be inspected by the proper authority after
installation.
• Have the heating system, vents, chimney and flue
inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every
year.
• Follow manufacturer's directions for safe operation of
all fuel-burning appliances.
• Examine vents and chimneys regularly for improper
connections, visible rust or stains.
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Carbon Monoxide Safety
• Open a window when a fireplace or wood-burning
stove is in use, and provide adequate outdoor air for
furnace and water heater.
• Notice problems that could indicate improper appliance
operation:
- Decreasing hot water supply.
- Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly.
- Sooting, especially on appliances.
- Unfamiliar or burning odor.
- Yellow or orange flame.
• Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning: headaches, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness,
nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation.
• Recognize that CO poisoning may be the cause when
family members suffer from flu-like symptoms that don't
disappear but improve when they leave home for
extended periods of time.
• Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, cabin, RV
or camper.
• Never install, service, or convert fuel-burning appliances
from one type to another without proper knowledge,
skills, and tools.
• Never use a gas range, oven, or clothes dryer for
heating.
• Never operate unvented gas-burning appliances, such as
kerosene or natural gas space heaters, in a closed room.
• Never operate gasoline-powered engines (like vehicles,
motorcycles, lawn mowers, yard equipment or power
tools) in confined areas such as garages or basements,
even if an out side door or window is open.
• Never ignore a safety device when it shuts off an
appliance.
• Never ignore a CO alarm.
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