What should I do if my carbon monoxide detector sounds?
Posted: June 26, 2018
Propane appliances have a remarkable safety record – one of the best in the home comfort business.
But like any equipment that burns fuel inside your home, operating a propane appliance releases a small amount of carbon monoxide (CO) as a byproduct of the combustion process. In high enough concentrations, this invisible, odorless gas can cause respiratory distress or even death – one of the reasons why it critical to have CO detectors installed at every level of your North Carolina home.
The question is: do you know what to do when your CO detector alarm sounds, indicating high levels of carbon monoxide? Here are six steps you should take if your carbon monoxide detector sounds.
- Take the problem seriously, but do not panic – CO detectors alert you to high levels of carbon monoxide gas long before symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are apparent; unlike smoke detectors, they do not signal an immediate danger. However, it is still important to act quickly and correctly when the CO detector’s alarm sounds.
- Open windows and doors immediately.
- Move everyone outdoors; make sure everyone in the house is accounted for.
- Call 911 or your local fire department from a neighbor’s house a safe distance away; do not return inside your home. Contact us, too.
- Look for any symptoms of CO poisoning in yourself or family members – headache, dizziness, or other flu-like symptoms; seek medical attention immediately if these are present.
- Look for the warning signs of carbon monoxide problems, including:
- Streaks of carbon or soot around the service door of your propane appliances;
- Soot or water falling from the base of a chimney; or
- Moisture collecting on the windows and walls of your furnace room.
If you see any of these signals of CO poisoning, contact us immediately for propane gas service.
Stay safe this summer – follow these steps to stay free and clear of carbon monoxide poisoning. Contact your Parker Gas professionals if you have questions about CO, or any other propane safety issues.
