“Through pride we are ever deceiving ourselves. But deep down below the surface of the average conscience a still, small voice says to us, something is out of tune.” Carl Jung (1875-1961, bio link)
CO alarm standards - When do they sound off?
American Red Cross - Disaster Relief
The storm known as Sandy is resulting in staggering losses to life, health, property and spirit. Perhaps our generosity can assist in adding aid & comfort. Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
We burn a lot of fuel in our homes.
How well do we install and maintain the equipment that we use to burn that fuel?
My good fortune to interact with HVAC technicians, fuel suppliers, code officials, equipment manufacturers, instructors & educators, scientists, consumers and others strongly suggests that neglect compounds a poor furnace installation quickly and often dangerously. All heating equipment comes with instructions and warnings and measurement criteria.
The rules shall be followed and measurements performed that verify listed performance ranges by the installing entity. If this basic rule is not followed, it is foreseeable that bad things can happen to the combustion equipment, the building and/or the people in the building.
My colleagues and mentors note inconsistencies in heating system performance establishment when first installed. Most notably ignored is the basic fuel pressure to the burner verification. There are other missed steps to consider in the start up and servicing that may occur. Most often though, it would seem that consumers do not have their heating systems serviced as suggested by the industry.
It is estimated that over 62 million homes are heated by natural gas in the United States. NaturalGas.org
· I wonder how many of those 62,000,000 combustion gas heaters have had pre-heating season servicing.
· How many of those systems were tested for preparedness to the manufacturer’s specifications?
· How many of these heating systems were tested for carbon monoxide production and combustion efficiency?
· How many of these homes have additional gas, wood burning, or oil fueled combustion systems?
· How many homes have attached garages?
· How many of these homes have carbon monoxide alarms?
· How many of these homes have people living there that are of vulnerable health, requiring more sensitive and accurate carbon monoxide alarms?
· How many of these homes have working smoke detectors?
· How many of these homes have one or more fire extinguisher where everyone knows where it is?
Now we can add in the tens of millions who heat homes with propane and fuel oil and we could ask the same questions?
Sometimes now I wonder “Am I one in 62,000,000 who just asked that question?” Bob Dwyer, CSME Carbon Monoxide Safety
CO News links
My son died of carbon monoxide poisoning - Video Interview, support this effort
BBC News UK
A mother whose ten-year-old son died of carbon monoxide poisoning has spoken about the "silent killer".
Carbon monoxide: an invisible killer
Newfalconherald
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas that can be generated by different sources. Gas-fired furnaces and stoves (both propane and natural gas), wood-burning fireplaces and stoves and motor vehicles all produce carbon monoxide.
Carbon Monoxide Sickens 4; City Fire Official: Check Furnace, Change Filter ...
FireEngineering.com
While at the Pershing Avenue call, fire crews were sent to Church Street Towers apartments to investigate a possible carbon monoxide issue after a resident of one of the units went to the hospital feeling ill. Firefighters, however, found carbon ...
Arnold man stricken by carbon monoxide
CapitalGazette.com
Firefighters and paramedics responding to the home on Chautaugua Road in Arnold shortly after 10 a.m. found carbon monoxide levels greater than 100 parts per million. Readings greater than 9 are dangerous and those greater than 35 can be lethal, said ...
The storm Sandy and CO News updates
Generators Pose Carbon Monoxide Risk Post-Sandy
WIBW
"The risk for carbon monoxide poisoning due to indoor use of propane stoves or generators is a major concern of public health officials after the storm," Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency medicine physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, told ...
More from Sandy
· Generator fumes after Hurricane Sandy nearly kill East Amwell couple
Hunterdon County Democrat - NJ.com
· Carbon monoxide sickens five
WUFT
· UPDATED: Local hospitals see carbon monoxide victims
TheDay.com
Change batteries in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors
Carlisle Sentinel
While most people will focus on “falling back” and turning their clocks back one hour, Rugh reminds residents that they should also make another change that could save their lives – changing the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide ...
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 ...
United Kingdom
National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week to launch in November
H&V News
Carbon Monoxide Awareness, a registered charity run entirely by volunteers, will be hosting the seventh National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week. The charity actively supports the victims of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and also raises awareness of ...
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 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!
