Why do I need a Carbon Monoxide Alarm?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas which is very toxic. Exposures to CO can cause symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of muscle control.
However, there could be many other causes for these symptoms and that is why carbon monoxide poisoning is so difficult to diagnose. If inhaled, carbon monoxide crowds out life-sustaining oxygen from red blood cells. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations of CO can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage, or death
Too much carbon monoxide in your blood will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this. Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers your health.
One of the truths of our human bodies is that, given a choice between carbon monoxide and oxygen, the protein hemoglobin in our blood will always latch on to carbon monoxide and ignore the life-giving oxygen. Because of this natural chemical affinity, our bodies – in effect – replace oxygen with carbon monoxide in our bloodstream, causing greater or lesser levels of cell suffocation depending on the intensity and duration of exposure.
The side-effects that can result from this low-level exposure include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are those with anemia or heart disease.
- See more at: http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/Avoiding_Carbon_Monoxide_Hazards.aspx#sthash.jMdVGk1O.dpufToo much carbon monoxide in your blood will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this. Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers your health.
One of the truths of our human bodies is that, given a choice between carbon monoxide and oxygen, the protein hemoglobin in our blood will always latch on to carbon monoxide and ignore the life-giving oxygen. Because of this natural chemical affinity, our bodies – in effect – replace oxygen with carbon monoxide in our bloodstream, causing greater or lesser levels of cell suffocation depending on the intensity and duration of exposure.
The side-effects that can result from this low-level exposure include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are those with anemia or heart disease.
- See more at: http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/Avoiding_Carbon_Monoxide_Hazards.aspx#sthash.jMdVGk1O.dpufToo much carbon monoxide in your blood will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this. Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers your health.
One of the truths of our human bodies is that, given a choice between carbon monoxide and oxygen, the protein hemoglobin in our blood will always latch on to carbon monoxide and ignore the life-giving oxygen. Because of this natural chemical affinity, our bodies – in effect – replace oxygen with carbon monoxide in our bloodstream, causing greater or lesser levels of cell suffocation depending on the intensity and duration of exposure.
The side-effects that can result from this low-level exposure include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are those with anemia or heart disease.
- See more at: http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/Avoiding_Carbon_Monoxide_Hazards.aspx#sthash.jMdVGk1O.dpufToo much carbon monoxide in your blood will kill you. Most of us know to try to avoid this. Less well known is the fact that low-level exposure to this gas also endangers your health.
One of the truths of our human bodies is that, given a choice between carbon monoxide and oxygen, the protein hemoglobin in our blood will always latch on to carbon monoxide and ignore the life-giving oxygen. Because of this natural chemical affinity, our bodies – in effect – replace oxygen with carbon monoxide in our bloodstream, causing greater or lesser levels of cell suffocation depending on the intensity and duration of exposure.
The side-effects that can result from this low-level exposure include permanent organ and brain damage. Infants and the elderly are more susceptible than healthy adults, as are those with anemia or heart disease.
- See more at: http://www.csia.org/homeowner-resources/Avoiding_Carbon_Monoxide_Hazards.aspx#sthash.jMdVGk1O.dpuf Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Current legislation in most European countries state that if you have an open fire or installed a wood burning or multifuel stove a carbon monoxide alarm is required.What do I do if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?- Don't ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are experiencing symptoms.
- Get all members of the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 999.
- Ventilate the building, and stop using the stove.
Check your chimney
You may be concerned that the wood burning stove
is at fault, but it is almost invariably to do with the chimney not functioning as it should. A stove is designed to continue burning without leaking smoke even if the doors are open, so even when there is an incomplete seal the stove should draw in air, not
let out smoke.
If the chimney and stove are new then it is most likely to do with downdraft - ie smoke being puffed back into the room. The normal solution is to increase the chimney height and fit an anti-downdraft cowl.
If the stove
has been fitted for a fair while without problems then it is most likely that the chimney needs sweeping.
Where should I place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out of the way of pets and children.
Price 35.00 fitted ( if chimney being cleaned at the same time)
Latest comments
Hi. Please contact to arrange to give a quote for chimney sweeping. Thank you.
Hi Natalya
Please send me a contact number..where are you located?
Hello, can I have a quote for a chimney inspection/cleaning.
Thanks !
I want to purchase a carbon monoxide detector. I live near Polis so can one be posted or sent by courier. Thanks