|
Safety Note From East Greenwich Township Fire & Rescue |
|
Carbon Monoxide — The Silent Killer |
|
In the midst of winter, as the mercury begins to dip, some families, struggling to pay their heating bills, |
|
turn on the kitchen stove burners and the oven in an effort to take the chill from their home. What these |
|
families don’t realize is how dangerous this practice can be. A gas oven or range top should never be |
|
used for heating. A fire could start, and poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) fumes could fill the home. Any |
|
fuel-burning heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, space or portable heaters), genera- |
|
tors, and chimneys can produce CO. |
|
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there is an increased risk of dying in a |
|
home fire during the winter season. December, January, and February are generally the deadliest |
|
months for fire. |
|
Also, hundreds of people die each year from unintentional CO poisoning. Fire departments responded to |
|
an estimated 61,000 CO incidents in 2005, a 9% increase from 2004. (This excludes incidents where a |
|
fire was present.) Close to 90% of CO incidents occur in the home. |
|
Often called a silent killer, CO is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, such as gaso- |
|
line, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane, burn incompletely. |
|
CO enters the body through breathing. CO poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poi- |
|
soning, and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light |
|
headedness, or headaches. |
|
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, but infants, pregnant women, and people with physical conditions |
|
that limit their ability to use oxygen, such as emphysema, asthma, or heart disease, can be more se- |
|
verely affected by low concentrations of CO than healthy adults. High levels of CO can be fatal for any- |
|
one, causing death within minutes. |
|
The goal of the East Greenwich Township Fire & Rescue is to reduce the number of CO incidents and |
|
discourage anyone from using the range or oven to heat their home. Install CO alarms inside your home |
|
to provide an early warning of accumulating CO. Have your heating equipment inspected by a profes- |
|
sional every year before cold weather sets in. |
|
• CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke |
|
alarms and CO alarms.
|
|
• Test CO alarms at least once a month.
|
|
• If your CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location and call for help. Remain at the |
|
fresh air location until emergency personnel say it is okay.
|
|
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries or other trouble indicators. |
|
The East Greenwich Township Fire & Rescue wants everyone to be warm and safe this winter. Make |
|
sure your home has carbon monoxide alarms. |
|
—The Officers and Members of the East Greenwich Township Fire & Rescue
Smoke Alarms Save Lives
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates more than 94 percent of North American homes have at least one smoke alarm. But consider this fact: There are more homes with smoke alarms that don't work, than homes without any alarms. These poorly maintained units create a false sense of security for residents.
WORKING Smoke Alarms Save Lives
By properly selecting, placing, testing, and maintaining your smoke alarm, you will greatly increase your chances of surviving a home fire.
Maintenance: The Key to Your Escape
Only properly functioning smoke alarms can protect you. Make regular maintenance a priority:
Standard Batteries
Batteries weaken with age and must be regularly checked and replaced (generally once a year). NEVER disable an alarm by “borrowing” its battery for another use.
Testing
Test your smoke alarms at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions. Both battery operated and electric smoke alarms become less sensitive with age. The NFPA recommends smoke alarm replacement every ten years. If your alarm does not respond to the recommended test procedure (usually pressing a“ test” button), change its batteries If it still does not respond, replace it.
Cleaning
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning your smoke alarms. Debris and dust can generally be removed by using a vacuum cleaner attachment. Never paint any part of a smoke alarm. Once your smoke alarms are up and running, make sure everyone in the household is familiar with the sound of the alarms.
|
