|
Firehouse Blog
Carbon Monoxide Safety
With the recent snowfalls so far this year, the York Fire Department has seen a spike in Carbon Monoxide Investigation calls. We would like you to take some time and read this article about Carbon Monoxide safety.
We have had alot of snow this year, and there is more coming this week. With the snowfall comes loaded roofs that need to be cleared off. Please be observant of your heating system vents that could be located on the side of your homes. When you are removing snow from your roofs, walkways and driveways, be very careful not to block these vents. If you have contracted someone to remove your snow, be sure to point out where your vents are and remind them each storm not to let snow build up around the vents. The deadly, silent killer, Carbon Monoxide is a product of incomplete combustion that MUST be venitilated out of the home. Too many times we are called to local residents because of a CO alarm sounding, residents feeling ill or residents smelling a fuel odor in their house and find a very high level of CO.
What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
The most common symptons are headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Inhalation of a high amount of CO can cause loss of consciousness and death.
How does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Work?
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death.
What can be done to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
- Install an approved, operation CO Detector within 10 feet of every bedroom or sleeping area. CO Detectors can be purchased at our local hardware stores.
- Be sure that all combustion appliances (Fuel Burning) are installed and working according to the manufacturer's guidlelines. Again, it is very important that the devices have an adequate, unblocked air supply and exhaust directly to the outside.
- Never use your cooking stove to heat your home.
-Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your home’s central heating system and repair leaks or other problems. Fireplaces and woodstoves should also be inspected each year and cleaned or repaired as needed.
-Portable electric generators must be used outside only. Never use them indoors, in a garage or in any confined area that can allow CO to collect. Follow usage directions closely.
-Gas and Charcoal grills should only be used outside, away from your home.
- Contact the York Village Fire Department with any questions you have. (207-363-1015)
What should I do if my CO Detector is sounding, I feel ill or my family is feeling ill and I suspect I may have a CO problem in my home?
- Call 911, close all windows and doors and wait outside in a warm car for the Fire Department to arrive. Keeping the doors and windows closed allows us to get an accurate reading of the CO levels with our meters as well as helping us locate the source of the CO.
- If possible, take your pets outside with you. Pets suffer from the effects of CO much sooner and faster than humans.
- Have your heating fuel company's phone number and your oil burner technician's phone number readily available if they should need to be called.
What can I expect when the York Fire Department arrives at my home?
-The York Fire Department is trained to investigate Carbon Monoxide situations.
-Some members may show up in their personal vehicles before a fire truck arrives. They may check to see if you and your family are feeling ill and assist you to a safe, warm place.
- The members of the York Fire Department will enter your house with a meter called "The Scott Scout 4-Gas Meter" This device will measure the Carbon Monoxide levels in your home. If the levels are too high, it will begin to alarm. The York Fire Department has two of these 4-Gas Meters. One is located on Squad 2 and the other is on Engine 4.
- If there is a high reading of Carbon Monoxide, the members will exit your house and don their SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and re-enter your house to find the source of the Carbon Monoxide. This keeps the firefighters from inhaling the deadly gas.
- Once the source is found and controlled, the members will set up an electric fan at your front door and ventilate the Carbon Monoxide out of your home through open windows.
- The members will check the levels of Carbon Monoxide several times until it is safe for you to re-enter your home.
How can I help my elderly family members and neighbors?
- Check on them daily.
- Assist them in removing snow from their venting systems.
- Be sure they have a working CO Detector in their home.
For any more information about Carbon Monoxide, there are many resources online. Also you can call the York Village Fire Station any time to obtain more information.
|
