Schneider's Heating

Questions and Answers about Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
How early warning can help save your life

What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide(CO) is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas. Because you can't see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it's there. Today's more energy efficient, airtight home designs contribute to the problem by trapping CO-polluted are inside the home.

Why is carbon monoxide so dangerous?
The great danger of carbon monoxide is it's attraction to hemoglobin in the bloodstream. CO is breathed in through the lungs, and bonds with hemoglobin in your blood, displacing the oxygen which cells need to function. When CO is present in the air it rapidly accumulates in the blood. It will eventually displace enough oxygen in your system to suffocate you from the inside out, resulting in brain damage or death.

Where does carbon monoxide occur?
A common by-product of appliances that run on flammable fuel, carbon monoxide can be emitted by gas or oil furnaces, refrigerators or clothes dryers, water heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, charcoal grills, gas ranges, and space heaters. A clogged chimney or improper venting can cause problems as well.

Who is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning?
Everyone is at risk. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Experts believe that vulnerability to CO poisoning increases for unborn babies, infants, senior citizens and people with coronary or respiratory problems. These people are considered to be at greater risk.

How can I protect myself from carbon monoxide poisoning?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing at least on carbon monoxide detector per household. Reliable, cost effective protection from carbon monoxide poisoning is now available from First Alert, inventor of the smoke detector and America's most trusted name in home safety products. The First Alert new UL listed Carbon Monoxide Detector uses Biomimetic technology which simulates your body's response to CO and can detect levels as low as .01% The first battery powered model available to consumers nation-wide, First Alert provides protection even in the event of a power outage. According to the CPSC Chairman, "Carbon Monoxide detectors are as important to home safety as smoke detectors."

How do I know if I am suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?
CO poisoning is difficult to diagnose. Because its symptoms are similar to other common diseases, such as the flu, carbon monoxide is often called "The Great Imitator." Symptoms of low level CO poisoning can include headaches, fatigues, nausea, dizzy spells and confusion. There are, however, a few hints that can help. To identify carbon monoxide in your home:

-Are other members of the household feeling ill as well?

-Do you feel better when you are away from the house for a period of time?

If so, you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. To be sure, see a physician and request a carboxyhemoglobin test. This will determine the percentage of carbon monoxide present in your blood.

Why wasn't a carbon monoxide detector available sooner?
The technology simply wasn't available. Twenty years of research went into the development of the First Alert's new Carbon Monoxide Detector. The patented Biomimetic technology in the First Alert SensorPack module contains a sensoring device smaller than a dime, with a surface area larger than a football field. This sensor constantly monitors the amount of carbon monoxide in the air, sounding an 85 decibel alarm as early warning when carbon monoxide is present.

What do I do if my carbon monoxide detector goes off?
Get out of the house immediately. Have a plan that includes a pre-designated meeting place so that all family members can be accounted for. (Most fatalities occur when people re-enter the home to search for loved ones.) Call the Fire Department from a neighbor's home. Do not re-enter until the Fire Department tells you it is okay to do so. Discuss the source of the carbon monoxide with a Fire Official and have it repaired immediately.

Where do I put my carbon monoxide detector?
Near the sleeping area, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which recommends at least one detector per household. A second detector near the home's heating source adds an extra measure of safety.

What do I look for when purchasing a CO detector?
Look for a detector with the UL seal, such as First Alert. The seal guarantees that the product has passed 36 tests in the areas of performance, safety and accuracy. Other important features offered by First Alert include a test button, which tests the entire detector for easy assurance that the system is operating properly and battery power, which provides continuous protection and does not require recalibration in the event of a power outage. AC powered systems do not provide protection when power is lost and can take up to two days to recalibrate.

For more information, contact First Alert Customer Service Department at 1-800-323-9005.

Schneider Heating, Inc.
252 Pillow Street
Butler PA 16001
724-283-8525