subject: Make Your Home Safer With A Carbon Monoxide Alarm [print this page] Make Your Home Safer With A Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Everyday, almost all Americans use fuel-burning appliances in their homes. The use of fuel has become indispensable in our everyday living. Because we use it everyday, we should be aware of some of the hazards attached to it which includes carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. When fuel is burned, it always gives off CO in the air. CO is actually harmless in safe amounts. But carbon monoxide can kill if large amounts are inhaled.
Fuel-burning appliances that aren't maintained properly can be very dangerous and are capabale of leaking out large amounts of CO into your home. This will lead to CO poisoning and can kill a person in a matter of minutes. To prevent this from happening, CO detection is the key. There is only way sure way to be able to reliabely detect CO in your home, and that is by fitting a carbon monoxide alarm.
Monoxide alarms will send out a warning every time it detects unsafe levels of CO in your home. The alarm unit will sense the presence of CO even before you start to experience CO poisoning symptoms. This gives you enough time to leave the area when the CO is leaking.
Most carbon monoxide alarms are equipped with a voice warning system that clearly specifies what type of danger it is detecting. Most alarms are non-threatening and some are just low-battery alarms.
Because of different kinds of alarms available in the market today, experts recommend purchasing those that are Underwriters Laboratories listed or Canadian Standards Association (CSA) listed, such as the Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm. Safety experts recommend that when installing a CO alarm, it should be one with electrochemical sensors, as these are more accurate and stable.
Although carbon monoxide alarms will dramatically improve your protection against CO poisoning, regular and proper maintenance of fuel-burning appliances and equipment should be your top priority. It is recommended to have your home appliances checked by a professional technician every 6 months.
It is a legal requirement in some countries to fit a carbon monoxide alarm if you rent out property. Failure to comply can lead to large fines and even imprisonment.
