How Carbon Monoxide Kills
A Silent Odorless Killer in the Home
Gradual Suffocation
Poisoning caused by carbon monoxide can attack anytime and anywhere, but it attacks most often during the night because people are unaware of the symptoms while they sleep. It attacks frequently inside automobiles and garages as well as living areas of homes, and although most adults are aware of the methods of prevention, they do not realize how it silently suffocates and kills.
Carbon monoxide kills because it literally causes a person to suffocate. The red blood cells absorb carbon monoxide 250 times quicker than they absorb oxygen. As a result, a substance known as carboxyhemoglobin keeps the blood from moving oxygen out of the lungs and throughout the body where it is required to sustain life. If left untreated, the person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning will eventually fall into a coma and die of suffocation.
Hidden Dangers in the Home
A car left running in an attached garage is an obvious source of deadly carbon monoxide, but many hidden dangers can exist. Some of these hidden sources include a cracked furnace exchanger, a corroded or disconnected water heater vent, an improperly vented gas or wood burning fireplace, gas range, gas dryer, or outdoor grill. These are only a few of the many potential sources of this deadly odorless, colorless, tasteless gas. It is virtually invisible, and it kills thousands of people each year in the United States alone.
Buy a Carbon Monoxide Detector Today
Carbon monoxide detectors are not as cheap as smoke alarms, but they provide peace of mind and immeasurable protection. Look for a detector with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) seal. It should be placed near bedrooms according to product instructions. Carbon monoxide kills, but it does not have to. For the price of a detector and the regular inspection of combustion appliances, lives can and will be saved.
Source: http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com/
Personal Knowledge
Published by Crystal Ray - Featured Contributor in Lifestyle
Crystal Ray is an award-winning freelance writer and artist from the Chicago area. Her passion is interior design, but she also loves entertaining and crafting. She is continually developing unique and creat... View profile
- Review: First Alert Carbon Monoxide Detector First Alert has a very affordable carbon monoxide detector with a back up battery. This is a really good device to alert you when carbon monoxide is present.
- What You Need to Know About Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas and is leading cause of fatal poisonings in the United States.
- Carbon Monoxide Poison Happens Within a Matter of Minutes CO kills within minutes, it's odorless and colorless, causing permanent neurological dysfunction, even taking lives. Detecting this deadly poison can only be done by installing a detector specific for the job.
- Envirofit Clean Cookstove Envirofit had to create a perfect opening that is capable of letting in just enough air to fan the flames, yet not enough to cool the fire and slow down the overall combustion. Fresh air is then funneled into the stove.
- You Do Not Have to Be Outside to Develop Hypothermia According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control), hypothermia kills over 700 people a year and not all our related to people being out of doors.
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning and How to Avoid It
- How to Protect Your Family Against Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Denver's Lofgren Family Tragically Lose Their Lives Due to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Your Car as Silent Killer: Up Close and Personal with the Dangers of Carbon Monoxi...
- Human Consumption of Carbon Monoxide May Explain House Hauntings
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Tips on How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home
|
|