If there are any fossil fuels burned within your home or dwelling, such as gas stoves, gas furnaces and hot water heaters, gas or wood burning fireplaces, electrical generators powered by gasoline or kerosene, and most importantly, integral garages, you may be at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning and a silent death. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, tasteless, orderless gas produced when fossil fuels do not burn completely or are exposed to heat - usually fire. Fossils Fuels include such things as wood, coal, charcoal, natural gas, gasoline, kerosene and propane. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include fatigue, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, paleness and cherry red lips and ears. If symptoms are noticed, it is advised that you immediately open windows and doors to ventilate the home or structure, call 911 and get outside into fresh air. Later, have appliances checked carefully by a qualified heating contractor.

Have your chimney and flue cleaned every year.
Get a qualified inspector to check appliances and heating systems each year.
Be sure all home appliances have adequate ventilation.
Properly insulate and weatherize your home to allow sufficient appliance ventilation.
Don’t rely on carbon monoxide detectors as a "substitute" for maintaining appliances, furnaces or chimneys.
Be sure burner flames are blue, not orange.
Never use a gas range for space heating.
Never run an automobile or gasoline engine in an enclosed space.
Never use a charcoal grill indoors.
Place electrical generators outside and a safe distance from the building so fumes do not seep in.

Although Carbon Monoxide detectors are not yet written into the building code, the Department of Environmental Protection strongly recommends the installation of Carbon Monoxide Detectors, in addition to smoke detectors. Even though these detectors are not required, residents would be wise to have one or more strategically installed. And, when traveling and staying somewhere else overnight it is good to have one in your possession. There are a variety of these on the market and not very expensive, in relation to the added protection that is provided. They may be purchased in most local hardware stores, the "big box" home supply stores, and a number of other retailers. You may purchase a battery powered combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide detector that is easily installed in strategic locations. Or, if your home is already equipped with an integrated AC system of smoke detectors, just check with the manufacturer for a combination detector that is compatible with your system.

BRK Electronics manufacturers a full line of safety products. This is a BRK First Alert sample house with recommended locations for smoke alarms, CO alarms, fire extinguishers, and more!

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