A new carbon monoxide law goes into effect in Colorado requiring the installation of Carbon monoxide detectors in all rental properties, homes for sale and new construction homes and apartments.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and tasteless byproduct of burning materials containing carbon. If it's present in high concentrations in your home you will not smell it, see it or taste it and that is why CO is called the silent killer.
CO is the leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States. CO is produced in every home that has a gas or carbon-producing appliance of any type.
What are gas or carbon producing appliances?
Natural gas or propane hot water heater
Natural gas or propane furnace
Kerosene or propane space heaters or cook stoves
Gasoline or diesel powered cars, boats, motorcycles, jet skies or other vehicle operating in the garage
Charcoal grills or natural gas grills too close to a window or inside an enclosed area
Gasoline powered tools
Who's at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning?
Anyone living in a home with a room over a garage where the car is warmed up prior to leaving on a cold day
Anyone heating his or her home or hot water with diesel, propane or natural gas
Children or pets that ride in the back of a pickup truck that has a camper shell on the bed
Sitting, mooring next to or swimming near a running boat engine
Anyone who has a furnace over 10 years old
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:
Flu like symptoms
Fatigue
Headache
Dizziness
Impaired judgment
Drowsiness
Seizure
Vomiting
If you have any gas or carbon producing appliances and experience any of the above symptoms, please consult your doctor or medical professional immediately. Leave the home immediately if you experience any of the above symptoms and call for help.
Every home needs at least one carbon monoxide detector installed in the master bedroom so it can wake you up if you are asleep. Carbon monoxide detectors should not be installed above or by any gas or carbon burning appliances because those appliances sometimes belch a small amount of CO at start up.
CO detectors can be plugged into an outlet and have a battery backup or they are battery operated only. I recommend one in each bedroom and at least one on each level of the home. Because CO is about the same weight as air you can install a CO detector at the ceiling or close to the floor. Keep in mind though that often times CO will be coming into the living space through your heating systems hot air and that means the carbon monoxide hot air will rise to the ceiling.
Just like a smoke detector, CO detectors have a test button, use it once a month and dust it regularly so it works properly. If your detector is battery operated change the batteries when you change the clocks.
If your home is all-electric and you do not have an attached garage you probably don't need a CO detector. If you do have an attached garage and use gas, propane or fuel oils then please, install at least one CO detector in your home.
Avoid becoming a statistic of the Silent Killer - Carbon Monoxide; install your CO detector today. You can purchase them at most hardware stores, discount stores and even some grocery stores.
The cost is cheaper than a trip to the hospital, only about $20-$30.
Odor DetectorRanoli is a Holistic Home Inspector, Life Development Counselor, Intuitive Environmental Consultant, Author, Teacher and Radio Host on HealthyLife.net.
She is the owner of Heart And Home Healing, a consulting service designed to empower people, create healthy homes and stage the feel of homes or offices. Reach her at FaithRanoli@aol.com