|
|  The Monitoring Center offers the latest technology in carbon monoxide detection devices. Carbon monoxide is produced during incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels, including gasoline, natural gas, wood, oil, coal, and kerosene. Exposure to carbon monoxide interferes with the body's ability to distribute oxygen to vital organs. As illustrated below, the symptoms from carbon monoxide poisoning can range from shortness of breath to death. The Monitoring Center's CO products and services alert its residential and commercial customers to the presence of carbon monoxide before it poses a danger.
Both local and national governments strongly urge people to use carbon monoxide detectors in homes,
businesses, garages, loading docks, pantries, and furnace rooms to help ensure the safety of family members, friends, employees and pets.
|
|
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental
poisoning deaths - claiming approximately 1,500 lives each year.
In addition to that stark figure, an additional 10,000 people
annually seek medical attention related to carbon monoxide poisoning. Moreover, it is very difficult to estimate the total number of carbon monoxide incidents because the symptoms are often mistaken for other common ailments and many people never seek medical attention. Regardless of any immediate effects caused by exposure to carbon monoxide, even limited exposure over long periods of time can impair general health, shorten life expectancy and contribute to heart attacks. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be especially harmful to small children, unborn babies, pets, the elderly and people with anemia, heart diseases or respiratory illnesses.
|
|
| Chimney Flues |
Poorly designed, maintained or blocked chimneys can lead to
carbon monoxide seepage into a home, which can occur either directly through the fireplace or indirectly
through vent connections and/or the liner of the flue.
|
| Automobiles & Vehicles |
Carbon Monoxide poisoning can occur by warming up vehicles in an attached garage, especially in situations where the garage is adjacent to a bedroom, living room or family room. Even if the garage door is open, carbon monoxide emitted from exhaust pipes can still enter a home or business through a garage door or window as well as the ventilation.
|
| Fuel-Burning Appliances |
Any fuel-burning appliance, machine, furnace, water heater, fireplace, woodstove, or space heater can be an emitter of carbon monoxide.
|
| Cigarettes, Cigars & Pipes |
Unmonitored cigarettes, cigars and pipes that are allowed to burn slowly can also emit carbon monoxide, as well as 200 other known poisons. Significant concentrations in close proximity to people can lead to the symptoms identified above.
|
|
|
