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What To Know About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning & How To Prevent It

ElectricMan’s motto is “Quality Electrical Services”, and to achieve this, we feel like it’s our duty to inform our customers of the importance of home and electrical issues that might affect them. One of these dangers is Carbon Monoxide.

Carbon Monoxide is a toxic gas that is odorless, tasteless, colorless, and non-irritating, so it is very difficult to detect unless you have a carbon monoxide detector. It’s often produced by older motor vehicles and other gasoline-powered tools, heaters, and cooking equipment such as furnaces, heaters, wood-burning stoves, electrical generators, and propane-fueled equipment like portable stoves. Simply put, carbon monoxide is produced whenever gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burning.

Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that carbon monoxide poisoning claims nearly 500 lives and causes more than 15,000 visits to the hospital emergency departments annually.

Symptoms Of Mild Poisoning Include: 

  • Headaches
  • Vertigo
  • Flu-like effects
  • Larger exposure can lead to severe heart and central nervous system problems and even death.

If you do suspect poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house. Take your pets outside too! Go to an emergency room and tell the doctor. A blood test is the best way to make a diagnosis. Treatment usually involves high doses of oxygen using a facemask.

How To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Prevention is the key to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning.

Helpful Prevention Tips:

  • Have your fuel-burning appliances inspected by a professional at the beginning of every heating season.
  • Don’t idle your car in the garage, even with the garage door open
  • Don’t use a gas oven to heat your home
  • Don’t ever use a charcoal grill indoors
  • Don’t sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater
  • Don’t use gasoline-powered engines in enclosed spaces.
  • Have carbon monoxide detectors installed.

The National Fire Protection Association says that 93% of homes have smoke alarms but the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that only 15% have carbon monoxide alarms.

How ElectricMan Can Help

Here at ElectricMan, we can professionally install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, because carbon monoxide poisoning is no small matter, and we care about your safety. We’re a family business and we put family first, including yours! We’re also available 24 hours, 7 days a week.

At ElectricMan Inc, we can professionally install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, because carbon monoxide poisoning is no small-matter, and we care about your safety. We’re a family business and we put family first, including yours!

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