Part One – Your Kidde CO Alarm
How to Care for Your CO Alarm
To keep your CO alarm in good working order, you must follow these simple steps:
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:
•Test the CO alarm once a week by pressing the Test/Reset button •Vacuum the alarm cover once a month to remove accumulated dust. Use the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner, and unplug the CO alarm from the electrical outlet before vacuuming.
•Instruct children never to touch, unplug or otherwise interfere with the unit. Warn children of the dangers of CO poisoning.
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO:
•Never use detergents or solvents to clean the CO alarm. Chemicals can permanently damage or temporarily contaminate the sensor.
•Avoid spraying air fresheners, hair spray, paint or other aerosols near the CO alarm.
•Do not paint the CO alarm. Paint will seal the vents and interfere with proper sensor operation.
•Do not mount the CO alarm directly above or near a diaper pail, as high amounts of methane gas can cause temporary readings on the digital display.
Note: If you will be staining or stripping wood floors or furniture, painting,
The following is a list of substances which, at high levels, can affect the sensor and may cause a nuisance alarm that is not a carbon monoxide alarm.
Methane, propane,
Also most aerosol sprays, alcohol based products, paints, thin- ners, solvents, adhesives, hair sprays, after shaves, perfumes, auto exhaust (cold start) and some cleaning agents.
Part Two – Carbon Monoxide - The Silent Killer
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas creat- ed when any fuel is burned – gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, wood, coal, and even tobacco. When combustion air is limited, more CO is produced. Serious problems can develop when combustion by- products are not properly vented outside the house.
You’ve probably heard about carbon monoxide poisoning in the news recently. It’s a problem receiving more attention because groups like the American Lung Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission have made it a priority to warn the public about the dangers of this deadly household poison.
What are the Effects of CO Exposure?
When you breathe carbon monoxide, it enters your bloodstream through your lungs and attaches to red blood cells. These red blood cells, called hemoglobin, carry oxygen throughout your body. Carbon monoxide molecules attach to the red blood cells 200 times faster than oxygen, preventing the flow of oxygen to your heart, brain and vital organs. As carbon monoxide accumulates in your bloodstream, your body becomes starved for oxygen. The amount of carbon monoxide in a person’s body can be measured by a simple blood test, called a “carboxyhemoglobin level” test .
The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistak- en for the flu – headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion.
Breathing very high concentrations of carbon monoxide can be lethal in minutes. Breathing low concentrations over time is dangerous, too. Long term exposure to low levels could cause permanent heart and brain damage.
Could Your Family be at Risk for CO Poisoning? Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States. According to the Mayo Clinic, at least 10,000 Americans are affected by CO poisoning each year.
While anyone is susceptible, experts agree that unborn babies, small children, senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory prob- lems are especially vulnerable to CO and are at the greatest risk for death or serious injury.
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