SMOKE ALARMS
1. Protect yourself and your family.
Install smoke alarms---Don't delay.
2. Smoke alarms save lives.
Most fatal fires occur at night when people are asleep. Often, victims never wake up. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound an alarm to alert you, giving you precious time to escape.
3. Buying the best alarm.
There are many types of smoke alarms, each with different features. Alarms can be electrically connected, battery powered or a combination of both. This combination - and a pause feature to reduce nuisance alarms - are highly recommended.
4. One smoke alarm is not enough.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every bedroom.
5. Where to install smoke alarms.
Because smoke rises, you should place alarms on the ceiling. If you cannot do this, place them high up on a wall, according to manufacturer's instructions. There are certain locations to avoid such as near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows, or close to ceiling fans.
6. Test your smoke alarm regularly.
Every month, test your smoke alarms, using the alarm test button. Once a month test your alarms using smoke from a smouldering cotton string. Follow your owner's manual.
7. Change your clock, change your battery.
Install a new battery of the proper type at least once a year. If the low battery warning beeps, replace the battery immediately. We change our clocks each spring and fall so this a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries too.
8. Gently vacuum alarm every six months.
Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so carefully vacuum the inside of a battery powered unit using the soft bristle brush. If electrically connected, shut off the power and vacuum the outside vents only. Restore power and test unit when finished.
9. Smoke alarms don't last forever.
Smoke alarms do wear out, so if you think your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones.
10. Plan your escape.
Make sure that everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do if a fire occurs. Regularly practice your home fire escape plan. Know two ways out of every room and have a pre-arranged meeting place outside. Once out, stay out and call the fire department from a neighbor's home.
CARBON MONOXIDE
What is it?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are possible sources of CO. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of CO. However, consumers can protect themselves against CO poisoning by properly installing, using, venting, and maintaining their heating and cooking equipment; by installing CO alarms inside their homes; and by being cautious with vehicles or generators in attached garages.
WHY IS IT SO DANGEROUS????
The effects of carbon monoxide on the body at different concentrations are described below:
50 ppm: Threshold limit value for no adverse effects even with 6-8 hours exposure
200 ppm: Possible mild headache after 2-3 hours
400 ppm: Headache and nausea after 1-2 hours
800 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 45 minutes; collapse and possible unconsciousness after 2 hours
1,000 ppm: Loss of consciousness after 1 hour
1,600 ppm: Headache, nausea, and dizziness after 20 minutes
3,200 ppm: Headache and dizziness after 5-10 minutes; unconsciousness after 30 minutes
6,400 ppm: Headache and dizziness after 1-2 minutes; unconsciousness and danger of
death after 10-15 minutes
12,800 ppm: Immediate physiological effects; unconsciousness and danger of death after 1-3 minutes
How can you protect yourself???
Install CO alarms inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating CO. However, a CO alarm is no substitute for safe practices. The best defenses against CO poisoning are safe use of vehicles (particularly in attached garages) and proper installation, use, venting and maintenance of household cooking and heating equipment.
What are CO alarms?
Household CO alarms measure how much CO has accumulated. Currently, CO alarms sound when the concentration of CO in the air is enough to cause 10% carboxyhemoglobin saturation in the blood (the lower limit of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide content in the blood). Since 10% COHb is at the very low end of CO poisoning, the alarm may sound before people feel particularly sick. Most CO alarms now have silence/ reset buttons and must be immune to elevated ambient levels such as those found in urban areas.
CO alarm tips
• Select alarms listed by a qualified, independent
testing laboratory.
• Follow local building codes, recommendations of NFPA 720 and
manufacturer’s recommendations for placement
in your home.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month, following
the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Replace CO alarms according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for battery
replacement.
WHAT TO DO IF THE CO ALARM SOUNDS
MOVE ALL OCCUPANTS IN THE BUILDING TO FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY AND CALL DIAL 911.