combustion. If several appliances run at the How does a carbon monoxide same time in a well-insulated home, they alarm work? “compete” for the available fresh air. If the fresh It is not like a smoke alarm. A carbon monox- IS MY air supply gets low, appliances re-circulate each ide alarm triggers an alarm based on expo- other’s exhaust instead of venting CO outside. sure to CO over time. It is designed to sound FAMILY an alarm before an average, healthy adult *Negative indoor air -When exhaust would experience symptoms. REALLY AT fans run, they lower the indoor air pressure. If the indoor air pressure gets lower than the out- What do I do if my carbon RISK OF door air pressure the airflow in chimneys and monoxide alarm goes off? CARBON vents can reverse, pulling exhaust containing Never ignore your alarm! It is very possible CO back into the home. that you will not be experiencing symptoms of MONOXIDE

CO poisoning when the alarm sounds. That *Loose vent pipes-Vibrations can shake vent POISONING? does not mean there is no carbon monoxide pipes loose from gas dryers, furnaces, or water present. The alarm is supposed to go off be- heaters, preventing CO from being vented out- fore you feel sick, so you have time to react side properly. and take action.

Do not panic. Press the Test/Silence button to Early warning is important! The Consumer temporarily quiet the alarm, then call 911 or The Leading Cause of Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recom- the Fire Department. Immediately move eve- Accidental Poisoning mends that every home have at least one carbon ryone to a source of fresh air. Do not re-enter Deaths in America: monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal your home until the emergency responder has installed near the sleeping area. What you should arrived, your home is aired out and your CO know about Carbon alarm returns to normal operation. Have the How can I protect against Monoxide and how problem corrected as soon as possible. Keep carbon monoxide poisoning? you can keep your your home well ventilated until the problem family safe. has been fixed. Have your appliances checked regularly! Have a qualified appliance technician check all Important numbers : fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and Courtesy of : Falmouth Building Department The Falmouth Building chimney systems at least once a year, or as rec- 508-495-7470 Department and Falmouth Fire Prevention ommended by the manufacturer. Fire Prevention/Fire Alarm 508-495-2530 fresh air in your home to allow complete What is Carbon Monoxide? Who is at risk from Carbon combustion, the trace amounts of CO pro- Monoxide poisoning? duced are typically not dangerous. And nor- mally, CO is safely vented outside your home. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odor- EVERYONE –because everyone needs oxy- less gas. It is a common by-product of incom- gen to survive. Medical experts believe some Problems arise plete combustion, produced when fossil fuels people are more vulnerable to poisoning. Like when something (like oil, gas or coal) burn. Because you can’t unborn babies, infants, children, seniors and goes wrong. An ap- see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can people with heart and lung problems. pliance can mal- kill you before you know it is there. function; a furnace heat exchanger can crack; vents can clog, or Exposure to lower levels over time can make debris may block a chimney or flue. Fire- you sick. places, wood burning stoves, charcoal grills, or gas logs can produce unsafe levels of CO Why is Carbon Monoxide if they are un-vented or not properly vented. so dangerous? Exhaust can seep into the home from vehicles left running in an at- Carbon monoxide robs you of what you need tached garage. All most-, which is carried to your cells these sources can and tissue by the hemoglobin in your blood. If contribute to a CO you inhale even small amounts of CO, it problem in a home. quickly bonds with hemoglobin and displaces oxygen. This produces a toxic compound in your blood called Additional Problems carboxyhemoglobin (COHb). Carboxyhemo- Where does Carbon globin produces flu-like symptoms, such as In some cases, problems arise even if appli- headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, con- Monoxide come from? ances are working properly. The following fusion and . Since symptoms are conditions are dangerous because they can similar to the flu , carbon monoxide poisoning CO can be produced by gas or oil appliances trap exhaust in your home, and are hard to can be misdiagnosed. As levels of COHb rise, like a furnace, clothes dryer, range, oven, wa- recreate during a CO investigation: victims suffer vomiting, loss of consciousness, ter heater, or space heater. When appliances *Incomplete combustion—Fuel-burning and eventually brain damage or death. and vents work properly, and there is enough appliances need fresh air for complete