“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Dale Carnegie (1888-1955, bio link)
More education required for carbon monoxide alarm awareness
Often times the first reaction to a carbon monoxide alarm sounding is to doubt it. Some people have a tendency to remove the alarms’ batteries and put in new ones or just leave the batteries out altogether. One of the news links posted below describes a woman who did not doubt her alarm and went outside after her alarm sounded, even though it was cold. She felt dizzy and had symptoms of poisoning. The alarm had been given to her as part of a young man’s social project.
This gifted alarm sounds like the standard U.L. 2034 listed CO alarm that registered a specific amount of carbon monoxide for a specific period of time before it alarmed. It alarmed after she began experiencing some symptoms, but it did indeed protect her.
But let’s say she had a low level CO alarm and it sounded off before her dizziness and she felt just fine. Would she have still gone outside?
This is a question and a point offered to me often by many people that the reactions to an early warning, unless citizens are made more aware of the value of low level protection, would be to doubt the alarm because they felt fine. These alarms sound before you get ill and the warning should not be doubted.
This means that whoever provides the alarm needs to spend a little more time educating the recipient about carbon monoxide and the compounding effects of its’ intrusion. To do this, the giver needs to know more about carbon monoxide. We all need to know more about this villain. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News Links
Seaside Heights Authorities Respond to Carbon Monoxide Alarm Activation
Patch.com
The sounding of an alarm in response to a leak of carbon monoxide gas within the hour has currently left Kearny Avenue in Seaside Heights cordoned off to road traffic, according to responding authorities at the scene. Chief William Rumbolo of Station ...
Stamford passes smoke alarm ordinance
Stamford Advocate
In the event of a change of occupancy through sale, lease or sublease, it is the responsibility of the building's owner to ensure the dwelling has an operating smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector. In the event a building's occupant is deaf or ...
Woman Reunites With Eagle Scout She Says Saved Her Life
NBC4i.com
The goal was to raise more than $1000 to buy and distribute more than 100 smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the northeast side neighborhood. On a cold morning in January, CJ Hodges' carbon monoxide detector sounded. "I began feeling real dizzy ...
· Heart Rescue Now This link takes you to a very short video that is a practical demonstration on the proper usage of an AED. This video is tastefully done & demonstrates the step-by-step way one might be able to save a life.
· 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.
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
Every Day is Carbon Monoxide Safety Day!
