Mar
18
Carbon Monoxide Testing As A Part Of Your Spring Cleaning
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Think carbon monoxide poisoning occurs mainly in the winter months? Think again. Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by a variety of different things, and can occur just as easily in the summer months as the winter. As the weather warms up here in Colorado, keep these tips in mind.
Charcoal gives off carbon monoxide. Never bring your charcoal grills indoors on a rainy day, and keep them away from open doors and windows. You should never leave a charcoal grill going near enclosed places, such as your garage, vehicle or tent.
Never use unvented fuel burning camping equipment in an enclosed location. Avoid bringing them into your home, garage, tent or vehicle while in use.
Never leave a vehicle running in your garage for any length of time. Always pull the vehicle out into the driveway or street. Even with the garage door open, carbon monoxide can get trapped and make its way into your home through open doors and windows.
Do not use or repair gasoline powered tools and engines indoors or in an enclosed garage. Always make sure the area is well ventilated during and after servicing.
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, in bonds with your red blood cells, resulting in a lack of oxygen to your blood cells. Both your brain and heart require large amounts of oxygen, so even a small shortage in oxygen can quickly impact your health. Because carbon monoxide reduces your oxygen supply, it can make you sleepy and not thinking clearly, making it harder to recognize the warning signs. And because high concentrations of carbon monoxide can kill in as fast as five minutes, its important to take safety features seriously.
[Worried about possible carbon monoxide poisoning in your home? Paul Davis can help you with carbon monoxide testing and mitigation to ensure the health and safety of your family.]
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Oct
23
Carbon Monoxide causes over 15,000 emergency visits, and kills over 500 in America every year. In order to help you understand more about carbon monoxide and its affects, here are 10 safety tips you should always keep in mind.
1. Never enclose heating equipment or hot water heaters in a small room without seeking the advice from a qualified technician. Proper venting should be in place to avoid a build up of carbon monoxide.
2. Check all fuel burning appliances each year, and check venting systems. Vents can 
easily be blocked by snow, ice or leaves with the changing seasons.
3. Do not warm up or leave cars running in the garage. Move them out and into a well ventilated area.
4. Never use propane or charcoal grills and barbeques inside your home, or in your garage.
5. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home, making sure they are outside of every sleeping area. If possible, connect all carbon monoxide detectors throughout the home. When one sounds the alarm on one level, they will all sound.
6. Perform routine checks around your homes foundation. Especially in the fall with piling leaves, and after a large snowstorm, vents can easily be blocked, allowing carbon monoxide to build.
7. Never ignore an alarm from your carbon monoxide. Even if you think you know the problem, its better to check it out with your local fire department than to face an emergency trip to the hospital due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
8. If the detector is electric, make sure the electrical socket is live all the time, and cannot be turned off with a light switch.
9. Replace batteries in your detector on a yearly basis. Create a set schedule, similar to your smoke detectors, replacing around the New Year, or when changing to daylight saving time.
10. Replace your carbon monoxide detector frequently. Read the manufacturers guidelines for expected replacement times, or replace them on a set schedule along with your smoke detectors.
Oct
2
Test For Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
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Without a doubt, one of the biggest safety concerns for homeowners is the silent killer, carbon monoxide. A test for carbon monoxide poisoning within the home is available; however installing a carbon monoxide detector and fixing any potential problem areas before they become serious threats should be your first line of action.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, poisonous gas that is produced by any product that burns fossil fuels. This includes gas furnaces, stoves, ranges, water heaters, or blocked chimney or 
flues.
Carbon monoxide buildup is generally caused by one of two things: either a problem develops in the appliance or fixture itself, or a blockage or fault occurs in the ventilation system.
Because carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, prevention is the best line of defense.
Start by installing carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Place one on every level, making sure one is kept near the sleeping areas to alert you to danger while you are sleeping. Carbon monoxide is about the same weight as air, but because it will most likely be mixed with warm air from the faulty appliance, its best to place the detector near the ceiling as warm air rises. Do not place the detector near the appliance itself, as even an efficient appliance may release traces of carbon monoxide and provide faulty readings.
Next, have your gas appliances and chimneys and flues checked regularly, especially at the start of each season. Have it checked by a professional who is experienced working with gas, and understands proper ventilation for carbon monoxide.
Finally, think prevention first. Proper ventilation and updating equipment on a regular basis will help keep your family safe from this deadly killer.
[Paul Davis can help you with carbon monoxide testing and mitigation to ensure the health and safety of your family.]
Sep
24
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a lethal poison that is produced with fuel is burned. Because carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and non-irritating, it can accumulate very quickly in a home unnoticed.
Carbon monoxide can be produced by any fuel burning appliance that is malfunctioning, such as a furnace, gas stove, gas range, gas clothes dryer, or a gas water heater. It can also be produced in fireplaces, charcoal grills, wood burning stoves, or blocked chimney or flues.
Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. While two thirds of all known fatalities are caused by carbon monoxide associated with fires, the other one third is caused by auto exhaust and faulty heating equipment.
While everyone is susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning, young children pregnant women, senior citizens, and people with heart or chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable. Because carbon monoxide restrains the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body, potential health problems can occur within just a few minutes of exposure. Symptoms can include:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Sore throat
- Dry cough
- Abdominal pain
More severe poisoning can cause:
- Fast or irregular heart rate
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Hyperventilation
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory
Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. The easiest way to prevent exposure is to place carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home. Also inspect chimneys, flues, gas appliances and heating systems every year. Make sure your ventilation system is properly connected, and working efficiently.
[Paul Davis can help you with carbon monoxide testing and mitigation to ensure the health and safety of your family.]
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