Wednesday, January 7, 2004

Help protect your home from the silent killer

Accidental CO poisoning claims about 1,500 lives annually and about one in five deaths involve heating or cooking equipment. The best defenses against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the home are making sure that heating and cooking appliances are properly installed and maintained, and that CO alarms are installed on each level of a home-particularly near sleeping areas. Tips on how to check for carbon monoxide hazards and a room-by-room safety audit are available at www.firstalert.com.

When appliances and vents work properly and an adequate supply of carbon monoxide alarms are installed throughout the house, residents can help protect themselves and their families from this silent killer.

Carbon monoxide can build up wherever flammable fuel is burned. Potential culprits of carbon monoxide in the home include:

• Gas stove and range top. Because these appliances are often unvented, they can be common sources of CO in the home. To help prevent CO from seeping, regular cleaning of the range top, oven cavity and burners is recommended. Keeping these appliances maintained and in working condition can also help reduce the chance of CO poisoning.

• Gas furnace and water heater. Improper installation or damage from basement flooding can cause both these appliances to produce harmful levels of CO. A clogged or dirty burner can also negatively affect the air/fuel mixture. Soot buildup and a pilot light mostly yellow in color could be indicators that the fuel is burning incompletely. A qualified technician (usually employed by a local oil or gas company) can inspect the furnace and water heater to ensure the air and fuel mixture is adjusted correctly and to make sure the burner components are cleaned.

• Gas clothes dryer. A faulty or improperly installed dryer can be a CO hazard. Exhaust pipes clogged with lint can also cause CO to build up. Again, regular inspection and maintenance are good preventive measures, as is cleaning the lint filter after each use.

While checking the common household appliances, the chimney and wood-burning stove should also be inspected. If a bird’s nest, leaves or soot are blocked in the chimney, CO can vent back into the home. Periodic inspection and cleaning by a chimney sweep company is recommended, and a screened cap placed over the top of a chimney can discourage nest building.

Before starting a fire, be sure the flue is open and not clogged, and keep the flue open until the fire is completely out to allow the gases to safely escape through the chimney.

For more than 25 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert-branded home-safety products including smoke and fire alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, escape ladders, and security products. First Alert-branded products are found in 85 percent of U.S. households and in more than 30 countries worldwide. BRK Brands, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, Ill. For more information, visit www.firstalert.com.

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