The installation and maintenance of smoke and CO alarms are key to an early warning of a fire or the presence of carbon monoxide (an odorless and colorless gas that can cause illness or sudden death)
Safety Tips:
- Fire and CO alarms should be installed on every level. Smoke alarms should also be in front of and inside sleeping areas. Basements need them too.
- Test alarms monthly
- Replace unit every 10 years or at manufacturer recommendation
- Keep 10 ft + from stove
- When starting a vehicle, pull it out of the garage immediately to avoid CO build up
- Clear dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace vents during/ after a heavy snow
- Some of the symptoms of CO poisoning are: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. If you suspect CO poisoning, move to a fresh air location and call the fire department.
Depending on the CO levels, the effects can develop over time or have sudden onset within minutes. Victims of CO poisoning may require the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to increase the concentration of oxygen in the blood stream, replacing the carbon monoxide. Depending on CO levels this may take 4-5 hours in the chamber.
Your fire department has the tools to identify hidden fires using thermal imaging and CO levels via a multi-gas meter.
