Carbon Monoxide

In light of the tragic deaths of the Iowa family who lost their lives while on vacation Mexico, it is never too redundant to cover the need for smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors in our homes and businesses.

While smoke detectors are mounted on the ceilings since the gasses from combustion are lighter than air; Carbon Monoxide (CO) is only slightly denser than air and has been shown to equalize across all planes of a room’s air supply. Detectors have generally been mounted at electrical outlets close to the floor but are just as effective at counter height.

All homes should have a working CO detector, but ESPECIALLY if you have any of the following:

• Gas or Oil Furnace

• Gas Refrigerator

• Gas Clothes Dryer

• Gas Range

• Gas Water Heater

• Gas or Oil Space Heater

• Fireplace

• Charcoal Grill

• Wood-burning Stove

• Attached Garage (fumes from automobiles and gas-powered lawn mowers)

• Attached dwelling (fumes from a neighbor with one of these devices)

Carbon Monoxide is odorless and colorless so with the exception of additives placed by your gas provider you would never know it had infiltrated your living/breathing space. CO is so dangerous because once inhaled it displaces oxygen molecules in your bloodstream, depriving your vital organs.

Large amounts of CO can within minutes, and without warning, cause you to lose consciousness and die. Small amounts will cause headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, blurry vision, and/or confusion. It is important to get to fresh air and call 911 immediately!

Be diligent, be prepared, be safe.

BOOKMARK! www.tinyurl.com/JCFRcpr to sign up for CPR classes as well as reserve a time for a Child Seat safety check or install. Next CPR class is Saturday, April 7, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. We’re on our way to having Jasper County 100% CPR trained!