| Without proper protection carbon monoxide can | | | | Why Get a Carbon Monoxide Detector? |
| kill you before you have a chance to react. | | | | Carbon monoxide can be released into your home |
| Known as the silent killer, carbon monoxide can | | | | in a variety of ways. If you aren't killed by the |
| easily happen in your home. It is an invisible, | | | | gases you can still experience damage to your |
| odorless, colorless gas. Carbon monoxide is | | | | lungs. Some items in your home that can cause |
| produced when fossil fuels burn incompletely. | | | | carbon monoxide poisoning include fireplaces, |
| Some fossil fuels in your home which can cause | | | | heaters, hot water heaters, gas stoves, ovens, |
| carbon monoxide include gasoline, wood, coal, | | | | automobiles, grills, dryers and even nearby traffic. |
| propane, oil and methane. Heating and cooking | | | | This is why it is important to have a carbon |
| equipment are the most likely sources of carbon | | | | monoxide detector since you never know when |
| monoxide gases. Dangerous levels of carbon | | | | any of your common household appliances is |
| monoxide can also be produced by vehicle running | | | | emitting toxic levels of carbon monoxide. |
| in an attached garage. However, there is a way | | | | Types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors |
| to protect you're self against carbon monoxide | | | | First there is metal oxide semi-conductor or MOS |
| poisoning. | | | | carbon monoxide detectors. The MOS detector |
| Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Exposure | | | | uses heated tin oxide. This heated oxide will react |
| If carbon monoxide builds up in your home you | | | | when CO is present and an alarm will sound to |
| will experience symptoms that you may not | | | | alert you. Then there are bio-mimetic carbon |
| associate with carbon monoxide poisoning. Some | | | | monoxide detectors which rely on a chemical |
| common symptoms you may experience include | | | | reaction to the CO that causes an electrical |
| confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, light headedness, | | | | current and an alarm sounds to alert you. Finally |
| vomiting, nausea, headaches and then | | | | there are electrochemical carbon monoxide |
| unconsciousness followed by death. Children, | | | | detectors which also use a chemical reaction |
| elderly individuals, pregnant women and those with | | | | similar to bio-mimetic detectors to sound an alarm. |
| respiratory issues are even more sensitive to | | | | What to Consider When Choosing a Detector |
| carbon monoxide so they will be affected quicker | | | | While all tested and approved carbon monoxide |
| than healthy individuals. | | | | detectors are perfect for residential use there are |
| How to Protect Yourself | | | | still some elements you need to consider before |
| The best way to get early warning against carbon | | | | purchasing one. Certain types of CO detectors |
| monoxide exposure is with a properly working | | | | can be more sensitive to CO than others. If you |
| carbon monoxide detector. This can alert you to | | | | want a detector that can react at very low levels |
| a buildup of gas before the level become lethal. | | | | then you should purchase one with a memory. |
| This is especially important since you wouldn't | | | | Don't get a battery operated detector unless you |
| even be aware of the gas when you are sleeping | | | | can check and replace the batteries often. |
| without the alarm alerting you. Within just a few | | | | However, a battery operated detector offers |
| minutes levels can become lethal and advanced | | | | more flexible placement options than a plug-in |
| warning is the only way to ensure you can get | | | | detector. |
| out alive. | | | | |