Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they are not properly main-
tained, are improperly ventilated, or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly. CO
is a real danger now that homes are more energy efficient. “Air-tight” homes
with added insulation, sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can “trap”
CO inside.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and should be discussed with
ALL household members.
Mild Exposure: Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like” symp-
toms).
Medium Exposure: Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart
rate.
Extreme Exposure: Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure.
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain damage, death.
Important!
This CO Alarm measures exposure to CO over time. It alarms if CO levels are
extremely high in a short period of time, or if CO levels reach a certain minimum
over a long period of time. The CO Alarm generally sounds an alarm before the
onset of symptoms in average, healthy adults. Why is this important? Because
you need to be warned of a potential CO problem while you can still react
in time. In many reported cases of CO exposure, victims may be aware that
they are not feeling well, but become disoriented and can no longer react well
enough to exit the building or get help. Also, young children and pets may be
the first affected. The average healthy adult might not feel any symptoms when
the CO Alarm sounds. However, people with cardiac or respiratory problems,
infants, unborn babies, pregnant mothers, or elderly people can be more
quickly and severely affected by CO. If you experience even mild symptoms of
CO poisoning, consult your doctor immediately!
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which often makes it difficult to
locate the source of CO after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that can
make it difficult to locate sources of CO:
Motorhome well ventilated before the investigator arrives.•
Problem caused by “backdrafting.”•
Transient CO problem caused by special circumstances.•
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