[CaptDave4499]

As a firefighter I would like to remind you to "Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries" this Sunday, October 29, 2006. Replace the batteries in your smoke detectors when you change your clocks this weekend to make sure that your family has the critical time needed to escape if there is a fire in your home.

Here are a few tips:
1. If you are in a burning building, stay low to the ground. Smoke rises to the highest point that it can. If you are as low as you possibly can be, you run less of a risk of being hurt by the smoke.
2. Always do a monthly check on smoke detectors. In many cases, smoke detectors can determine life or death. Check to see if its batteries are in good working condition. If they aren't, make sure you change them immediately. It is a good idea to change the battery when you change your clocks each Fall and Spring.
3. Four words - Stop, Drop, and Roll. If your clothing catches on fire, immediately "Stop" what you are doing. Do not run, the passing air will fuel the flame. Cover your face with your hands and "Drop" to the ground. "Roll" around until the flame is out. Get medical help for any burns.
Definition of a True Emergency
Dial 9-1-1 for any situation that requires a timely response by police, fire, medical, or public service agencies to preserve life or property: if someone is hurt; if you see a crime in progress; if you smell or see smoke or fire.

Please don't call 9-1-1 to ask for directions, phone numbers, why the power just went out or just to see if it works. If your problem is not an emergency, please use the appropriate business number listed or dial Operator.

Dialing 9-1-1
If you mis-dial and get 9-1-1; please stay on the line to report that it was simply a dialing error.
Things you can do before an emergency occurs:

Address
Write down your physical address and keep it posted next to the phone. During emergencies we have people accidentally give old addresses, or forget the exact number of their house. Visitors unfamiliar with the area need to be prepared to tell us their street address.

Did you know?
You don't need a quarter to dial 9-1-1 from a payphone; IT'S FREE!
The dispatcher will ask questions when you call. Be prepared to stay on the phone if it is safe for you to do so.

Please don't put 9-1-1 on a speed-dialer. It's the cause of many errors when people drop or clean the phone. Children need to learn how to find the numbers so they can call from any phone.

[BriOnH]

CAPTAIN DAVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How are you this morning???

[JediSkipdogg]

I've been in my condo for about 2 weeks now and I've already checked it twice. I also have numerous extinguishers around because you never know when a fire may start. Good advice and I hope everyone remembers it and checks/changes their batteries.

Personally, I recommend smoke detectors in every bedroom of the house. What happens if it starts at the end of the hall and the door is shut? It then has longer to burn if the smoke detector is at the opposite end of the hall. Every second is vital in a home fire.

[Stuboy]

SADLY i confess i dont check them... but we do know the one near the kitchen works.... ITS JUST A BIT OF TOAST!!!!!

[valc3]

I check them on the first of every month and sometimes when I'm cooking.

[Mich]

Thanks for the reminders, Dave. It is a great idea to tie battery checks to the change of the clocks.

Glad to see you back.

Mich

Remember, you can send a personal email to any of us by clicking on our signatures and choosing the "send a personal message" option on our profile page.

[Carwy]

With those words of advice you many have just saved another life in your long life of helping people. Way to go.
I hope you are doing great today Dave. PM and let me know.

[mg_2204]

Our new house... didn't have a smoke detector!!!!! How come people in this day and age don't have a smoke detector??!!?

I check the smoke detector on a regular basis. Always did. Takes a few seconds really. So I don't forget : every 1st of the month.

One thing that bothers me : I lost my sense of smell after an op and it's taking a l-l-l-l-long time to come back. Some things I can faintly smell but... I just can't smell the gas from our gas cooker. That worries me. What if for some reason there is a gas leak or someone hasn't turned off the gas properly??! I will not smell it. I wonder if there is a detector for gas....???

[CaptDave4499]

Yes there is, a carbon monoxide detector!

[CaptDave4499]

What You Need to Know about Carbon Monoxide Detectors

They Aren't Like Smoke Detectors!

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. Carbon monoxide detectors are available, but you need to understand how they work and what their limitations are in order to decide whether or not you need a detector and, if you purchase a detector, how to use it to get the best protection.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. Each carbon monoxide molecule is composed of a single carbon atom bonded to a single oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, and oil.

Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?

Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air. In the home, it is formed from incomplete combustion from any flame-fueled (i.e., not electric) device, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles, and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may be sources of carbon monoxide, but if they are vented properly the carbon monoxide will escape to the outside. Open flames, such as from ovens and ranges, are the most common source of carbon monoxide. Vehicles are the most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.

How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?

Carbon monoxide detectors trigger an alarm based on an accumulation of carbon monoxide over time. Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide in a short period of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over a long period of time. Carbon monoxide detectors require a continuous power supply, so if the power cuts off then the alarm becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power.

Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?

When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it passes from the lungs into the hemoglobin molecules of red blood cells. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin at the same site as and preferentially to oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange abilities of red blood cells. The result is that the body becomes oxygen-starved, which can result in tissue damage and death. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or a cold, including shortness of breath on mild exertion, mild headaches, and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning lead to dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting on mild exertion. Ultimately, carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness, permanent brain damage, and death. Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Babies, children, pregnant women, people with circulatory or respiratory ailments, and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide than healthy adults.

Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?

Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out of the way of pets and children. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping area and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up.

What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds?

Don't ignore the alarm! It is intended to go off before you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the alarm, get all members of the household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911. If no one has symptoms, ventilate the building, identify and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before returning inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as soon as possible.

Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Information

Don't automatically assume that you need or don't need a carbon monoxide detector. Also, don't assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have a detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and health of family members into account when assessing the effectiveness of a detector. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The 'test' feature on many detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not the status of the detector. There are detectors that last longer, indicate when they need to be replaced, and have power supply backups -- you need to check to see whether a particular model has the features you require. When deciding whether or not to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, you need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources, but also the construction of the building. Newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated, which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.

[JediSkipdogg]

Dave, I have a question while we are on the topic. I recently purchased a brand new condo. The smoke detectors are great, I have 4 in my 1500 square feet and they are all wired together and then are hardwired electrical with battery backups. I'll still mark the calendar for battery replacement time.

My question though is about carbon monoxide. My condo unit is 100% electrical. They have no gas to the building at all. Therefore, do I need a carbon monoxide detector at all?

[spike]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

Dave, I have a question while we are on the topic. I recently purchased a brand new condo. The smoke detectors are great, I have 4 in my 1500 square feet and they are all wired together and then are hardwired electrical with battery backups. I'll still mark the calendar for battery replacement time.

My question though is about carbon monoxide. My condo unit is 100% electrical. They have no gas to the building at all. Therefore, do I need a carbon monoxide detector at all?

I should get a gold star--I've got 4 smoke detectors AND a CO detector! We have a gas furnace inside the house, a gas water heater, and a gas drier. Hmmm...maybe I should put a CO detector in the garage too?? Dave??

[mg_2204]

Capt Dave, a HUGE thank you

[CaptDave4499]

My question though is about carbon monoxide. My condo unit is 100% electrical. They have no gas to the building at all. Therefore, do I need a carbon monoxide detector at all?

CO, Carbon monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood, kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, and oil.

So I believe you DO NOT need a CO detector. My house is all electric too and I do not have a CO detector. BUT if you ever use a fossil fuel heater like a Kerosene heater I would recommend a detector.

Hmmm...maybe I should put a CO detector in the garage too?? Dave??

I would say no because your vehicle will set it off a lot. Oh and here's your star!

[jeggeman31]

Originally Posted by CaptDave4499

Please don't call 9-1-1 to ask for directions, phone numbers, why the power just went out or just to see if it works. If your problem is not an emergency, please use the appropriate business number listed or dial Operator.

Wow I think if this happened I would be out of a job