| One of the biggest killers in the home is one that | | | | young are at a particular risk so they should |
| you can't see, smell, taste or hear - it is carbon | | | | always be monitored. |
| monoxide. Carbon monoxide is a type of toxic | | | | -There could be a lot of moisture on the walls. |
| gas that is colorless, tasteless and odorless and is | | | | -The air will feel very stale and stuffy. |
| produced as a by product of combustion. Being | | | | -When a stove or other fuel burning appliance is |
| exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide will kill | | | | turned on you may experience a strong smell of |
| a person as it works as inhibitor and will prevent | | | | gas. |
| the blood from carrying oxygen around the body | | | | -If you check the pilot light or burner on |
| to vital organs. As you know, your body needs a | | | | appliances it will be burning yellow or orange and |
| fresh supply of oxygen to survive and without it, | | | | not blue as they should be. |
| organs begin to shut down. | | | | -Around the exhaust vent or chimney there will |
| Each and every appliance that burns fuel has the | | | | be a build up white chalky powder or soot like |
| potential to become a deadly producer of carbon | | | | substance. |
| monoxide and if this leaks into your home it can | | | | -The pilot lights on the furnace or water heater |
| have fatal effects. Appliances that can create | | | | will go out for no apparent reason. |
| carbon monoxide include - gas stoves and driers, | | | | If you spot any of these things then you should |
| fireplaces, woodstoves, non electric fuel fired | | | | get the possibility of a carbon monoxide leak |
| furnaces and automobiles. | | | | checked out by a professional who can isolate the |
| In other words, every home will have at least | | | | leak and deal with it safely. It is very important |
| one, if not more appliances that create carbon | | | | that you get appliances checked every year to |
| monoxide, so you should know how to protect | | | | make sure that they are not producing carbon |
| yourself and others against carbon monoxide | | | | monoxide and are running safely. All appliances |
| poisoning. You should also know how to spot the | | | | should be fitted by a professional to ensure that |
| effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in order to | | | | you are not at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning |
| get someone suffering from it the correct | | | | due to badly fitted appliances. This in itself kills |
| medical attention. Here is what to look for if you | | | | countless people each year around the world |
| suspect a carbon monoxide leak in your home: | | | | because they thought they could fit air |
| -People may complain of headaches, nausea, | | | | conditioning or a heater themselves. Never take a |
| dizziness, fatigue, flu like symptoms and confusion | | | | chance with appliances. As an extra form of |
| - all of these are signs of carbon monoxide | | | | protection you can also fit carbon monoxide |
| poisoning. | | | | detectors that will go off if carbon monoxide is |
| -The symptoms above may reduce when away | | | | found to be in your home. |
| from the home for periods of time, only returning | | | | To get new air conditioning, heating or other |
| when you return home again. | | | | appliances installed correctly, contact your local |
| -More than one person in the household will | | | | HVAC technician so that they can provide you |
| experience these symptoms, the elderly and the | | | | with installation and repairs you can trust. |