Part Two - Carbon Monoxide-The Silent Killer; What Is Carbon Monoxide; What Are The Effects Of Co Exposure; Could Your Family Be At Risk From Co Poisoning - Kidde KN-COPP-3 User Manual

Part Two – Carbon Monoxide-The Silent Killer

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas
created when any fuel is burned – gasoline, propane, natural gas,
oil, wood, coal, and even tobacco. When combustion air is limit-
ed, more CO is produced. Serious problems can develop when
combustion by-products are not properly vented outside the
house.
You've probably heard about carbon monoxide poisoning in the
news recently. It's a problem receiving more attention because
groups like the American Lung Association and the Consumer
Product Safety Commission have made it a priority to warn the
public about the dangers of this deadly household poison.

What are the Effects of CO Exposure?

When you breathe carbon monoxide, it enters your blood-
stream through your lungs and attaches to red blood cells.
These red blood cells, called hemoglobin, carry oxygen
throughout your body. Carbon monoxide molecules attach to
the red blood cells 200 times faster than oxygen, preventing
the flow of oxygen to your heart, brain and vital organs. As
carbon monoxide accumulates in your bloodstream, your
body becomes starved for oxygen. The amount of carbon
monoxide in a person's body can be measured by a simple
blood test, called a "carboxyhemoglobin level" test .
The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often
mistaken for the flu – headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea,
vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion.

Could Your Family be at Risk from CO Poisoning?

Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning
deaths in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, at
least 10,000 Americans are affected by CO poisoning each
year.
While anyone is susceptible, experts agree that unborn
babies, small children, senior citizens and people with heart or
respiratory problems are especially vulnerable to CO and are
at the greatest risk for death or serious injury.

Where Does CO Come From?

Inside your home malfunctioning and improperly vented appli-
ances used for heating and cooking are the most likely sources of
carbon monoxide. Vehicles running in attached garages can also
produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
A by-product of combustion, carbon monoxide can be a potential
problem from a number of common sources – automobiles,
furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, charcoal grills, gas
ranges, space heaters and portable generators.
When these appliances are in good working condition with
proper ventilation, lethal carbon monoxide gas is vented outdoors
where it quickly disperses. But even the slightest malfunction or mis-
use of any of these sources can lead to a build-up of carbon monox-
ide in your home that can become deadly before you'd even know
it's there.
And you don't have to have ancient appliances to have a problem.
Today's more energy-efficient, airtight home designs can trap CO-
polluted air inside where it can quickly build to lethal levels.

What Can You do to Protect Your Family?

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 exposure, and if
you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, move outside to fresh
air and get emergency help. A blood test can confirm that CO
caused the problem.
Your first line of defense is an annual inspection and regular main-
tenance of your appliances. Contact a licensed contractor or call
your local utility company for assistance.
But remember, problems can begin after an inspection is over, like
a crack in a furnace heat exchanger, or a leak in a water heater
vent, 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.
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