IF YOUR CO ALARM SOUNDS
Actuation of your CO Alarm indicates the presence of carbon monoxide (CO) which can kill you. In other words, when your CO Alarm sounds, you must not ignore it!
IF THE ALARM SIGNAL SOUNDS:
1.Operate the Test/Silence button.
2.Call your emergency services, fire department or 911. Write down the number of your local emergency service here:
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3.Immediately move to fresh air—outdoors or by an open door or window. Do a head count to check that all persons are accounted for. Do not re-enter the premises, or move away from the open door or window until the emergency services responder has arrived, the premises have been aired out, and your CO Alarm remains in its normal condition.
4.After following steps 1-3, if your CO Alarm reactivates within a
24-hour period, repeat steps 1-3 and call a qualified appliance technician to investigate for sources of CO from fuel-burning equipment and appliances, and inspect for proper operation of this equipment. If problems are identified during this inspection have the equipment serviced immediately. Note any combustion equipment not inspected by the technician, and consult the manufacturers’ instructions, or contact the manufacturers directly, for more information about CO safety and this equipment. Make sure that motor vehicles are not, and have not, been operating in an attached garage or adjacent to the residence. Write down the number of a qualified appliance technician here:
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“ALARM-MOVE TO FRESH AIR”
If you hear the alarm horn and the red light is flashing, move everyone to a source of fresh air.
DO NOT unplug the CO Alarm!
Alarms have various limitations. See "General Limitations of CO Alarms" for details.
USING THE SILENCE FEATURE
The Silence Feature is intended to temporarily silence your CO Alarm’s alarm horn while you correct the problem—it will not correct a CO prob- lem. While the Alarm is silenced, it will continue to monitor the air for CO.
When CO reaches alarm levels, the Alarm will sound— repeating horn pattern: 4 beeps, a pause, 4 beeps, etc. Press and hold the Test/Silence button until the horn is silent. The Silence cycle will last approximately 4 minutes.
NOTE:
After 4-minute Silence cycle, the CO Alarm re-evaluates present CO levels and responds accordingly. If CO levels remain potentially danger- ous—or start rising higher—the horn will start sounding again.
The Silence Feature is for your convenience only and will not cor- rect a CO problem. Always check your home for a potential problem after any alarm. Failure to do so can result in injury or death.
NEVER unplug your CO Alarm to silence the horn. Use the silence feature. Unplugging the CO Alarm removes your protection!
TESTING AND MAINTENANCE
WEEKLY TESTING
Press the Test/Silence button on the Alarm cover until alarm sounds. During testing, you will hear a loud alarm sequence – 4 beeps, pause, 4 beeps, pause.
•If the Alarm ever fails to test properly, replace it immediately. Products under warranty may be returned to the manufacturer for replacement. See “Limited Warranty” at the end of this manual.
•DO NOT stand close to the Alarm when the horn is sounding. Exposure at close range may be harmful to your hearing. When testing, step away when horn starts sounding.
•NEVER use vehicle exhaust! Exhaust may cause permanent damage and voids your warranty.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE
To keep the CO Alarm working properly:
•Test it every week as described in “Weekly Testing.”
•Vacuum the CO Alarm cover at least once a month, using the soft brush attachment. Never use water, cleaners, or solvents, since they may damage the unit. Test the Alarm again after vacuuming.
DO NOT spray cleaning chemicals or insect sprays directly on or near the CO Alarm. DO NOT paint over the CO Alarm. Doing so may cause permanent damage.
Household cleaners, aerosol chemicals and other contaminants can affect the sensor. When using any of these materials near the CO Alarm, make sure the room is well ventilated.
If your home is being fumigated, unplug the unit temporarily and put it where it will not be exposed to chemicals or fumes. When fumigation is complete and all traces of fumes clear, plug the unit back in and retest it.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO
WHAT IS CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely, or are exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appli- ances typically do not produce CO.
These fuels include: Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene, and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not properly maintained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly. CO is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. “Air-tight” homes with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can “trap” CO inside.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be dis- cussed with ALL household members.
Mild Exposure:
Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like” symptoms).
Medium Exposure:
Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
Extreme Exposure:
Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
This CO Alarm measures exposure to CO over time. It alarms if CO levels are extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach a certain minimum over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm before the onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults. Why is this important? Because you need to be warned of a potential CO problem while you can still react in time. In many reported cases of CO exposure, victims may be aware that they are not feeling well, but become disoriented and can no longer react well enough to exit the building or get help. Also, young children and pets may be the first affected. The average healthy adult might not feel any symptoms when the CO Alarm sounds. However, people with cardiac or respiratory prob- lems, infants, unborn babies, pregnant mothers, or elderly people can be more quickly and severely affected by CO. If you experience even mild symptoms of CO poisoning, consult your doctor immediately!
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it difficult to locate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that can make it difficult to locate sources of CO:
•House well ventilated before the investigator arrives.
•Problem caused by “backdrafting.”
•Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.
Because CO may dissipate by the time an investigator arrives, it may be difficult to locate the source of CO. BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obli- gated to pay for any carbon monoxide investigation or service call.
