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Ø vehicle, or tent. Ø Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open. Ø Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skills and tools, and always refer to the owner's manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing. Ø Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens or clothes dryers for heating your home. Ø Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping. Ø Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors. If use is unavoidable, ensure that adequate ventilation is available and whenever possible place engine unit to exhaust outdoors. What should you do if you are experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning? If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. Call your fire department and report your symptoms. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified serviceperson checks them for malfunction. What should you do when the CO detector/alarm sounds? Never ignore an alarming CO detector/alarm. If the detector/alarm sounds: Operate the reset button. Call your emergency services (fire department or 911). Immediately move to fresh air -- outdoors or by an open door/window. How should a consumer test a CO detector/alarm to make sure it is working? Consumers should follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a test button, some detectors/alarms test whether the circuitry as well as the sensor which senses CO is working, while the test button on other detectors only tests whether the circuitry is working. For those units which test the circuitry only, some manufacturers sell separate test kits to help the consumer test the CO sensor inside the alarm.
This information was based on : Ø “Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers” developed by the US. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD. CPSC Document # 466 Ø “Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives” developed by the US. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, MD. CPSC Document #5010 |
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Preparedness Information |
