Carbon Monoxide Alarm Fact Sheet

I remember as a kid how why father once scolded me when I slept inside a closed car that was turned off

. I was sleeping peacefully when he suddenly dragged me out and gave me a sharp slap across my face. Stunned to know what I had done wrong, he shouted at me "Don't you ever sleep inside a closed car that is turned off!" I really didn't know what was wrong nor do I remember if he ever told me, but I now realize it is because of the deadly gas carbon monoxide or CO. If there is any type of fire protection equipment that I would consider a minimum in a household, it would be the carbon monoxide alarm.

First, a few facts about carbon monoxide. It's chemical combination consists of one carbon molecule and one oxygen molecule. It occurs naturally in nature when there is an incomplete combustion of substances. In the case of a car, some not completely burned gasoline may be seeping out of the engine and invading anyone enlosed inside. This is a poisonous gas and is probably the main reason why you want to cover your nose in the case of a small fire. The kicker to this is that is is odorless and undetectable by any of our physical human senses. It causes nausea, other symptoms and in larger quantities even death. We are talking about relatively small presences of CO in the air here!

The carbon monoxide alarm is a marvel among fire protection equipment. It is simple indispensable. If you have any gas appliances at home, you need to have one. Yes, people do die from CO poisoning from their kitchen stove more often than one may think! How it works is that it is usually plugged in, thereby adding some convenience when one is say, travelling and staying at a foreign apartment room. It gives off a very loud and unmistakable noise when CO content in the air reaches dangerous levels giving you and your family a good amount of time to vacate the area, take safety measures and contact the local fire authorities. There is also a new version of this that doubles as a smoke alarm.

It can also be used of course, for businesses in particular ones that deal with gas and manufacturing companies. Restaurants, automotive repair shops and factories all benefit from this added safety. This is also essential legally in adherence to the Fire Safety Order (FSO) ratified in 2006 requiring all businesses to have satisfactory fire safety features in their workplaces.

They say the best solution is preventive in nature - and this is exactly the case with carbon monoxide. Aside from a carbon monoxide alarm then, make sure you avail of other fire protection equipment such as the ever-reliable fire extinguisher. Make sure that the maintenance of gas related equipment are always kept in check. Consult with your local fire authorities and reputable fire safety equipment dealers for the best information and the best service that one can avail for his home or establishment.

by: Ben Griston

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