An Invisible Enemy: Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is always present in the air in non-lethal quantities. So a carbon monoxide detector does not work to tell you that it is present. Instead, it works to alert you if there is enough carbon monoxide in the air to cause you harm. These alarms are usually quite loud since many carbon monoxide-related deaths occur when people are sleeping.

No matter how much carbon monoxide is present, you wouldn’t be able to verify its presence on your own. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and that is what makes it so very deadly.

The appliances we use for heat and various types of engines emit carbon monoxide. Some items in and around your home that give off carbon monoxide include: ovens and ranges, clothes dryers, water heaters, space heaters, grills, furnaces and of course your cars.

Everyone that suffers from carbon monoxide poisoning does not die. The actual number of people who have been poisoned by carbon monoxide is unknown since non-fatal carbon monoxide poisoning is often not reported.

It is important that you install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to keep your family safe. You should have one on every floor in your house. A carbon monoxide detector should be installed five feet higher than the floor. It should not be placed over or even adjacent to something that produces a flame, such as a fireplace.