Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Your Home
It is very important to understand the facts surrounding carbon monoxide poisoning in your home so as to stay on the safe side all the time. In this article we are going to discuss all the facts that must be held at your fingertips to safeguard your family’s lives.
<b>What Is Carbon Monoxide?</b>
Carbon monoxide is also known as CO. it is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is emitted in the burning of organic fuels or substances in the absence of adequate air. This process of incomplete combustion is dangerous to human beings as its by-product, carbon monoxide, puts a stumbling block in your body’s efforts to take up oxygen.
<b>Why Is Information On Carbon Monoxide Poisoning So Important?</b>
The importance of carbon monoxide poisoning is derived from the fact that CO can easily accumulate to dangerous levels indoors in situations where there is poor ventilation. Another cause of the accumulation of carbon oxide is the improper maintenance and/or operation of fuel burning devices. An incredible 500 people perish every year in the United States due to carbon monoxide poisoning. A lot more visit the emergency rooms across the country for treatment of all levels of exposure with some living to bear the scars of the side effects. The number of those who make emergency visits to the hospital due to exposure to carbon monoxide stands at a staggering 8 to 15 thousand every year.
<b>How Does Carbon Monoxide Act In The Body?</b>
Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous substance due to its attraction to hemoglobin, the substance responsible for the transportation of oxygen to all around the body. As it occupies its much loved place in your hemoglobin, carbon monoxide displaces oxygen resulting in the starvation of your body of this vital substance. The organs that rely on oxygen the most are the first to go and these include your brain and heart.
<b>What Are The Common Carbon Monoxide Sources?</b>
At the basest level, CO is produced whenever any material is burnt and more so when this occurs in the absence of adequate oxygen for fuelling the fire. Fuel burning devices are the most common sources off carbon monoxide around the home namely water heaters, charcoal grills, lawn mowers, motor vehicles, power generators, kerosene or gas space heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, boilers, camp stoves and some power tools whose engines combust internally.
<b>How Can Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Be Prevented?</b>
There are a number of ways that you can prevent CO poisoning in the home namely:
1.Correct usage of fuel burning appliances
2.Proper maintenance of the appliances
3.Knowledge of CO poisoning symptoms
4.Installation of carbon monoxide detectors
You must ensure that all your fuel burning appliances and heating devices are utilized properly, well vented and receive the proper and regular maintenance. Maintenance is especially vital before the onset of the winter season.
Knowledge of CO poisoning symptoms is also important as they can easily be mistaken for a common cold or flu. This is quite dangerous as it results in people not seeking early treatment or the services of professional technicians to service their appliances.
Most homes and companies now rely on the carbon monoxide detector to give them an early warning whenever the levels of CO start to rise. It is an affordable gadget that requires proper installation and maintenance. You must test it regularly and make sure that the batteries are replaced on time. Some of the casualties of carbon monoxide are from homes that had improperly working detectors or detectors.
There are a lot of platforms that specialize in the dissemination of information relating to CO poisoning. You can also find detectors and specialist help relating to the medical and legal fields.
For more details about carbon monoxide poisoning visit http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/
