How to protect your family against the “silent killer”

You can’t see, smell or taste it. It may be lurking in your home and, if not guarded against, can kill you and your loved ones while you sleep. Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide takes the lives of hundreds of North Americans every year. It is the leading cause of fatal poisoning in North America.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless deadly gas that can be produced by any appliance, engine or heating device that uses combustible fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal. Carbon monoxide can leak into the home when a fuel-burning device is poorly maintained, improperly vented or breaks down. Other potential sources include automobiles left idling in attached garages, clogged or blocked chimney openings, inadequate venting, malfunctioning appliances or the operation of a barbecue in an enclosed area such as your home or garage.

When inhaled CO inhibits the blood's capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations or slowly over a long span.

Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea and dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness. In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly vulnerable to CO.

According to Patrice De Luca, V.P. of Marketing and Business Development for Reliance Protectron Security Services, the best defence against carbon monoxide poisoning is detection and prevention.

“The only way to detect this deadly gas is by installing carbon monoxide detectors,” De Luca explained, recommending that detectors be installed at each level of the house. “At the very least, one should be installed at every level where there is a bedroom.”
De Luca stressed the importance of linking CO detectors linked to a monitoring centre since many victims of carbon monoxide are asleep at the time of exposure, and timing is crucial for alerting emergency help.

“Protectron carbon monoxide detectors offer valuable protection by alerting you to the presence of this gas and notifying the monitoring centre, which immediately takes the appropriate measures to help you,” he added.

What to look for in a CO detector

• Choose one that is listed with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), whose logo will appear on the product.
• If you have a battery-powered unit, make sure you change the battery as recommended by the manufacturer and test the unit once a month.
• Replace the unit as recommended by the manufacturer (generally between 5 and 10 years).

How to prevent CO poisoning

• Have a qualified service technician check your furnace and other fuel-burning equipment at least once a year.
• Have your chimneys cleaned and inspected at least once a year.
• Never run vehicles, motor bikes, lawn-mowers, generators, or snowblowers in an  attached garage, even if the garage door is open.

If your carbon monoxide detector alarm sounds, De Luca advises that you exit as quickly as possible and call the fire department from a neighbour's home.

Contact us for more information on home security and for a free security evaluation.