Facts About Carbon Monoxide (Co)

FACTS ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)

CO Risks and Fatalities

CO poisoning is responsible for an average of 450 deaths and more than 20,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. each year. (American Medical Association)
Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of CO exposure is in the home, and more than two-fifths (41 percent) occurs during the wintermonths of December, January and February.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Ninety percent of American homes do not meet the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) recommendation for number of CO alarms, including 40 percent that report having zero working carbon monoxide alarms. (First Alert “Get Alarmed” Survey, July 2010)

Avoiding CO Poisoning

All fuel-burning (gas, oil and coal) devices should be serviced by a qualified technician every year. Generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves and other similar devices should only be used outdoors.
Running vehicles inside an attached garage, even if the door is open, is hazardous, as CO can leak into the home.
CO alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area (such as in a hallway outside the bedroom). For maximum protection, an alarm should be installed on each level of the home. Battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in alarms with battery backup are preferred in case of power failure.

Additional CO Alarm Guidelines

Ensure that alarms are plugged all the way into the outlet or, if battery operated, have working batteries installed. Check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
Make sure CO alarms are installed at least 15 feet away from sources of CO to reduce the number of nuisance alarms.

FACTS ABOUT FIRE AND SMOKE

Fire Risks and Fatalities

There are 380,000 residential fires annually in the U.S. (United States Fire Administration)
Nearly 900 lives could be saved annually in the U.S. if all homes had working smoke alarms. (National Fire Protection Association)
Nearly a quarter of Americans (23 percent) have either never replaced the smoke alarms in their homes or have not done so in more than six years. (First Alert Survey, August 2009)

Avoiding Fire and Smoke

Clean out the lint and debris that may build up in the clothes dryer vent which leads to the outside of the house.
Have fuel-burning (gas, oil and coal) heating equipment and chimneys inspected by a qualified professional every year before cold weather arrives. During the heating season, clear filters and filtering systems of dust and dirt.
Battery-operated smoke alarms or plug-in alarms with battery backup are preferred in case of power failure.

Additional Smoke Alarm Guidelines

Ensure that alarms are plugged all the way into the outlet or, if battery operated, have working batteries installed. Test smoke alarm functions once a month,and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
Typical, well-maintained smoke alarms can provide up to 10 years of service. If the alarms in your home are approaching or exceed this timeframe, or if you can’t recall when they were installed, replace them immediately.

Homes should have one smoke alarm installed at the top of each staircase and one in every bedroom or sleeping area. (National Fire Protection Association)

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