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Jackson Bureau Of Fire Safety Offers Information About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
JACKSON - In the past decade, people have become more aware of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the home. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage
can also produce dangerous levels of carbon
monoxide. + Install CO alarms (listed by an independent
testing laboratory) inside your home to provide
early warning of accumulating CO. + CO alarms should be installed in a central location
outside each separate sleeping area. + Test CO alarms at least once a month, and
replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer's
instructions. + Do not run a vehicle, generator or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage
doors are open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of
a running vehicle is not covered with snow. + During and after a snowstorm, make sure
vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace
are clear of snow build-up. + Have fuel-burning household heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves, space or portable heaters) and chimneys inspected by a professional
every year before cold weather
sets in. + When using a fireplace, open the flue for
adequate ventilation. + Never use your oven to heat your home. + CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed
on every level of the home and in or outside
all sleeping areas. + Know the difference between the sound of
the smoke alarms and the sound of the CO
alarms. + If the CO detector sounds intermittently and
is battery-powered, check the battery. + If your CO detector sounds a steady alarm
or you are unable to determine, EVACUATE
and call 9-1-1. + Call a qualified technician to inspect all
equipment after the fire deptartment deems
the dwelling safe to return. + Some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poising are severe headache, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea or faintness. Many of these symptoms are similar to the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses.
Information provided by Fire Official Frank McDonnell of the Jackson Bureau of Fire Safety No.1 & 3.
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