Co Safety Tips; Symptoms Of Co Poisoning - Kidde P3010L-CO-CA User Manual

10. General Carbon Monoxide (CO) Information

CO Safety Tips

Everyyear,havetheheatingsystem,vents,chimneyandflueinspected
andcleanedbyaqualifiedtechnician.Alwaysinstallappliances
accordingtomanufacturer'sinstructionsandadheretolocalbuilding
codes.Mostappliancesshouldbeinstalledbyprofessionalsand
inspectedafterinstallation.Regularlyexamineventsandchimneys
forimproperconnections,visiblerust,orstains,andcheckforcracks
infurnaceheatexchangers.Verifythatthecolorofflameisblueon
pilotlightsandburners.Ayellowororangeflameisasignthatthe
fuelisnotburningcompletelyandmaybereleasingCO.Teachall
householdmemberswhatthealarmsoundslikeandhowtorespond.Fire
Departments,mostutilitycompaniesandHVACcontractorswillperform
COinspections,somemaychargeforthisservice.It'sadvisabletoinquire
aboutanyapplicablefeespriortohavingtheserviceperformed.Kiddewill
notpayfor,orreimbursetheowneroruserofthisproduct,foranyrepair
ordispatchcallsrelatedtothealarmsounding.

Symptoms of CO Poisoning

Initialcarbonmonoxidepoisoningsymptomsaresimilartothefluwith
nofeverandcanincludedizziness,severeheadaches,nausea,vomiting
anddisorientation.Everyoneissusceptiblebutexpertsagreethatunborn
babies,pregnantwomen,seniorcitizensandpeoplewithheartor
respiratoryproblemsareespeciallyvulnerable.Ifsymptomsofcarbon
monoxidepoisoningareexperiencedseekmedicalattentionimmediately.
COpoisoningcanbedeterminedbyacarboxyhemoglobintest.
ThefollowingsymptomsarerelatedtoCARBONMONOXIDEPOISONING
andshouldbediscussedwithALLmembersofthehousehold:
1. Mild Exposure:Slightheadache,nausea,vomiting,fatigue(often
describedas"Flu-like"symptoms).
2. Medium Exposure:Severethrobbingheadache,drowsiness,
confusion,fastheartrate.
3. Extreme Exposure:Unconsciousness,convulsions,cardio
respiratoryfailureanddeath.