We are just now sending the children off to school, but we can already feel the nip in the air. Winter is just around the corner and will be here before we know it. While we consider if it is finally time to pull out our favorite seaters, it is also time to consider one of winter’s subtle dangers—carbon monoxide.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible odorless gas which is harmful in concentrated amounts. Breathing Carbon Monoxide can cause serious sickness, even death, with the symptoms increasing in severity with increasing exposure and increasing concentration.
Sources of CO
Most all home appliances using gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal as fuel will release CO into the air. These sources include:
- Stoves and ranges
- Charcoal burners
- Furnaces
- Water heaters
- Room heaters/space heaters
- Wood burning stoves
- Fireplaces
- Portable generators
- Car engines (Engines running in closed space such as garage)
The Problem isn’t Always Obvious
When used in well ventilated areas, the amount of these sources of CO produce is negligible and dissipates, which is true most of the year. Since we can use most of these things most of the year without concern, it is easy to forget to heighten our diligence during the winter months when areas are more often closed.
Hidden Problems
Tighter seals help retain heat in the home but can also contribute to the dangerous accumulation of CO in living areas. We may also be more likely to use more CO producing appliances in colder weather, which can cause the poisonous gas to accumulate more quickly. Another problem is that many of the things we use nearly exclusively in winter months may not get serviced as often and may be faulty in a way that increases CO output.
Carbon Monoxide Detection and Monitoring
Since Carbon Monoxide is colorless and odorless, and its effect incremental and subtle, it is important to have a home security system that includes CO detection and monitoring. When a monitored CO system detects the poisonous gas it sounds an alarm and notifies the central alarm station who immediately dispatches help to your home.
Carbon Monoxide can be lethal and can incapacitate residents long before they even know there is a problem. This makes having a Monitored CO system a critical part of your home security. GuardMe is on duty 24/7 to protect the safety and wellbeing of your family. If you have any questions about Carbon Monoxide detection and monitoring, please feel free to call us.