Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Protecting Your Family from the Silent Killer

By Lee Kennedy


Carbon monoxide is a hazardous gas that can cause many health problems when accidentally inhaled. Breathing this poisonous gas can be fatal. Regrettably, many of our home appliances can be a source of this poisonous gas. All household piece of equipment that burn fuel is a probable source of carbon monoxide, a poisonous fume that can cause health risks when inhaled in large volume.

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous fume that can result to lot health complications when breathed. Alarmingly, many appliances in our homes are prospective source of this silent killer.

Exposure to this toxic gas for regular periods of time can cause an overall feeling of weakness that the victims might erroneously associate to flu. Pregnant women should pay special precautions because the gas is known to cause brain damage and premature death to unborn fetus. Symptoms that disappear when the affected persons are elsewhere and returns when they are inside the house is a tell tale sign of carbon monoxide poisoning. The sick, the young, and the old family members are often the first to manifest the symptoms and more than one family member is often involved.

There are several tell tale signs the presence of carbon monoxide seepage in the home. Moisture can be noticed on walls. Wood may seem to burn slower than usual in the fireplace and the burners in the stove may turn into a yellow orange hue rather than the customary blue color. Powdery residues and chalk like grime may also collect on plumbing vents and exhaust passages.

Pregnant women should take special precaution because carbon monoxide can cause brain damage and mental retardation to unborn babies. Immediate medical attention must be taken to reduce possible health complications and the cause of the seepage must be identified and corrected by a qualified heating and plumbing contractor to ensure that the problem is rectified safely.

This wrong practice creates a high risk of a gas leak. The Better Business Bureau or BBB advocates that only properly trained and licensed professionals should fit home appliances, above all those that can produce Carmon monoxide gas.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas made even more hazardous because it cannot be detected by the human senses. It cannot be seen, tasted, smelled, or touched. It is extra dangerous at nighttime because this gas can also make its victims sleep deeper and many of its victims are unaware of a leak until irreparable damage has been done.

You should consider installing a gas detector to guard your family from the ill effects of carbon dioxide exposure. A detector should be installed within 15 feet of the entrance of each place with heating appliances that has a potential to produce carbon monoxide. There are many choices in the market from the basic and least expensive to the most complicated and costly. The BBB suggests battery life, ease of operation and gas detecting capability to be your criteria when choosing.




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