Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Carbon Monoxide News November 14, 2012 - posts updated frequently - Every day is a carbon monoxide safety education day

CO alarm standards - know when you are protected

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love.” Washington Irving (1783-1859, bio link)

Educate yourself and others with carbon monoxide measurement
There may be many different types of combustion systems  you encounter every day. For some people there may be hundreds or even thousands where extreme automotive interactions occurs, as well as the interfaces with the furnaces, water heaters, cooking systems or boilers in buildings lived in, worked in or visited. An average neighborhood dweller may encounter a half a dozen or so before lunch (excluding cars & trucks). Emergency responders gainfully enter buildings with unknown combustion systems and atmospheres.

Because of the large number of potential CO sources  especially in urban areas, it is a highly recommended practice for all responders to CO alarm calls and other emergencies to measure and know how much carbon monoxide is outside in the air before entering a building and then how much inside; this means home health care providers as well. Mechanical technicians, “Meals on Wheels” volunteers and many others should also measure for CO or be aware of the symptoms of the poisoning. 


Do you know how much carbon monoxide you live and work in?  How much are your children in? The more buildings you enter, the likelihood of CO gas encounters increases. The more you test for, the more you will find. Measurement is education. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety

Repeating this Minnesota message, be prepared
Increased education, awareness can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Minnesota Department of Commerce
SAINT PAUL, MN – Each year about 50,000 people visit emergency rooms in the United States for CO poisoning, and more than 500 die each year from this silent, odorless, colorless gas. As part of Winter Hazard Awareness Week (November 5-9), the Minnesota Department of Commerce warns Minnesotans of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and to take steps to avoid this “silent killer.”

Update, new link
Carbon monoxide kills 1 man, sends another to hospital in south-central Minn.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
LE CENTER, Minn. - One man is dead and another recovering after being overcome by carbon monoxide in south-central Minnesota. Authorities say the men were working on farm machinery in a garage when they were overcome about noon Monday.

CO News links
Carbon monoxide kills man near Asquith, Sask.
CBC.ca
Asquith, Saskatchewan -The carbon monoxide incident happened near Asquith, about 34 kilometres west of Saskatoon. A man, 29, is dead and a woman, 26, is in hospital following a carbon monoxide leak at a home near Asquith, Sask. The two were found in ...

Oxon Hill Family Dodges Silent Carbon Monoxide Bullet
CBS Local
OXON HILL, Md. (CBSDC) - An Oxon Hill family survived a carbon monoxide threat Tuesday because of proper home protection, prompting Prince George's County fire officials to remind homeowners to follow their lead. The family of four was awakened ...

Carbon monoxide poisons three
Prince Albert Daily Herald
People are encouraged to ensure their heating appliances are well ventilated, they not run vehicles or small wood heaters in garages without proper ventilation, their chimney is free from blockages and they purchase and maintain a carbon monoxide ...

Five people were lucky to escape carbon monoxide poisoning in an incident ...
This Is Wiltshire
Firefighters from the town were recently called to a house in Littleton Pannell by the ambulance service, where five people were complaining of ill health. The fire crew used an Altair monitor to establish that there were very high levels of carbon ...

Fire department asks residents to “know the symptoms” of CO poisoning
El Paso fire officials warns of carbon monoxide poisoning as heaters turn on
El Paso Times

To the residents the cause may be a mystery, but to officials the source is clear: carbon monoxide. As the temperature drops and households turn on their heaters, officials of the El Paso Fire Department are advising residents to be aware of the ...

Support your local fire department
Carbon monoxide devices nearing expiration
WKYT
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - Firefighters say it can save lives, but they tell us without some help this winter many of them won't be able to use the device that can detect carbon monoxide in homes. Monday night, WKYT told you about a Lexington man's death ...

Heating season brings poisoning alert
KASA
"Since carbon monoxide gas is undetectable by human senses, and the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are shared with other seasonal illnesses, prevention and early detection of exposure to carbon monoxide gas is crucial." The center also ...

Carbon monoxide charity in funding crisis
Runcorn and Widnes World
Crusading Runcorn mum Lynn Griffiths, aged 52, launched Carbon Monoxide Awareness in April 2005, after her family suffered the devastating effects of undiagnosed poisoning at their former home. A partially blocked flu had remained undetected despite ... If you listened to their influence, they may have saved your life. Now, you can help save their mission.

Carbon monoxide kills, founder sends warning 
Carbonmonoxidekills.com
Carbon Monoxide Information Website ... Carbon Monoxide Useful Links · Contact ... Get the Top ten carbon monoxide safety tips sent to your inbox:

Carbon monoxide toxicity
Emergency Medicine Ireland
- By Andy Neill
Carbon monoxide is produced whenever there is incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons. In house fires there's frequently more burning that there is oxygen so lots of CO is produced. It is thought to be the commonest cause of death in house ...

Aviators – note:
(PDF) Federal Aviation Administration warning; Carbon Monoxide: a Deadly Menace

Carbon Dioxide earth atmospheric update levels;
Current Data for Atmospheric CO2

· Heart rescue video using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)

· Please take CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY CARE during all holiday and everyday activities.

· Carbon Monoxide Survivor
A website made by poisoning survivors that brings a view that can only come from those that know what it is like to have been poisoned - as well as live with the long term impact.

· Consider low level protection for carbon monoxide and smoldering fire detection problems; don't leave anyone behind.

National Conference of State Legislatures
Carbon Monoxide Detectors State Statutes
Twenty-five U.S. states have statutes that require carbon monoxide detectors in certain residential buildings. Updated Nov. 2011
Alaska | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Illinois | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts| Michigan | Minnesota | Montana | New Jersey | New Hampshire | New York | North Carolina | Oregon | Rhode Island | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin | West Virginia

Google Maps to reference the locations referenced in these Internet headlines.

American Red Cross - disaster relief

The following companies are acknowledged for their continued support of carbon monoxide safety education and this daily news blog. They may just have what you are looking for.
Fieldpiece Instruments
The Energy Conservatory
IntelliTec Colleges
CO Experts
Masimo (See the non-invasive RAD-57)
Mahugh Fire & Safety
ESCO Institute
TPI - Test Products International