posted on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 4:37 PM
by
klehan
New Bern (NC) FD Wants CO Detector Law
Jeremy Blalock, New Bern
(NC) Fire and Rescue fire specialist, said firefighting associations are lobbying for a law requiring that the detectors be placed in homes and businesses that operate gas furnaces, fireplaces, gas water heaters, indoor grilling, gas stoves, gas refrigerators, gas clothes dryers and gas portable heaters.
Carbon monoxide is tasteless, colorless and odorless. Exposure to low levels can make a person sick over time. Higher levels are fatal.
Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning may be nauseated, experience flu-like symptoms, experience headaches, experience dizzy spells, confusion, fatigue and irritability. "It's like you want to go to sleep, and if you do you may never wake up," Blalock said.
He said carbon monoxide robs a person of what he needs most - oxygen.
He said an expert should be called to inspect gas appliances, gas logs and flue and chimneys.
"If you use fossil fuel, you need a detector," he said.
Blalock said warming up a car should not be done in a garage, even if the garage door is open.
He said the best defense against the deadly carbon monoxide is a detector.
He said the prices range from $10 to $50.