Did You Know?? ......... Thursday, November 18, 2010

[CoastalMaine]

Cunucu et al,

We had a very sad situation in Plymouth, Mass. just a few years ago with carbon monoxide poisoning. A firefighter was called out on a snowy, blustery, stormy night to fight a fire. When he returned home, his family had been overcome by carbon monoxide poisoning. His little 7 year old daughter didn't survive. The cause was determined to be, an outside vent for the gas heating system had been covered by snow that had fallen off the roof. The poison backed up into the house as the family slept.

The state then pushed through legislation requiring every home to have carbon monoxide alarms on every floor, near the bedrooms and the heating system.

Lawmakers eye carbon monoxide detectors: 2/ 5/ 2005

[Camper1]

I did know this one. That one of the reasons my house is all electric but we use gas in the camper. I make sure the cm detector is always working in there.

[tasmtairy]

I didn't know that, so if I have all electric, it's good, right?

[AksarbeN]

Originally Posted by Cunucu Beach

Excellent topic today, Coastal Maine!!!

Carbon monoxide crosses the membranes in the lungs easily and combines with hemoglobin much more readily than does oxygen. Even if oxygen is present, the hemoglobin molecule will preferentially pick up carbon monoxide before it will an oxygen molecule. Makes no sense from an evolutionary and survival standpoint but that's the way it is and that's why carbon monoxide is so dangerous. Carbon monoxide poisoning is insidious and one may not even know it is happening. Deaths occur around the world every winter from malfunctioning furnaces, fireplaces or natural gas space heaters that are producing toxic levels of carbon monoxide.

Hint: A carbon monoxide detector makes a good stocking stuffer for your parents or your married children (if they don't already have one).

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Very good idea CC and always check those batteries on all the alarm systems in the house.

[Gue]

Great gift idea!

[TT Dave]

Yeah, I knew this one. It's odorless, which makes it even more dangerous! I have all electric heat in my house now but in previous places I've rented that had gas appliances or heaters I always installed a carbon monoxide detector.

[cruxan]

i had all the windows in our computer room closed, and let me tell ya i had a roaring headach from the lack of oxygen.. no joke. if you are in a confined room and you get headaches that probably why.. keep at least one window open..