When we were kids, we were afraid of this fictional monster under the bed that wants to eat us. Well, as of now, most of us probably already realized that this is just not true at all. There’s no monster in our homes that wants to kill us, is there? What if I tell you that there is an invisible monster lurking in your homes and that you and everyone in your family can potentially be victims of it? It’s not hiding under your bed or anywhere for that matter and the worst part is, it is clearly there in plain sight but you have no way to see it before it’s too late. In the US alone, this monster takes at least 430 lives a year with 50,000 people estimated to be hospitalized due to it. This monster is called Carbon Monoxide and in this article, we’ll be exploring what it can do to you and those around you.

What is it and where does it come from?

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, as well as colorless gas that is slightly just below air in terms of density. Its main feature is that it can potentially kill any animal that uses hemoglobin for carrying oxygen, which unfortunately includes us humans, if approximately 35 ppm of it is encountered by our body.

Carbon monoxide usually comes from fumes produced when you burn any types of fuel. It can come from fireplaces, barbecue grills, diesel generators or even from cars with a diesel engine. As long as there is something being burned, you bet you’ll produce carbon monoxide.

Usually, when you burn stuff, the amount of carbon dioxide produced is negligible and is just dispersed in the surroundings. The problem starts when they enter our homes and silently accumulate somewhere biding its time, waiting for the unlucky victim, which unfortunately will most likely be someone you know very well or even you.

Who are the ones at risk and what are the early signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Practically anyone is at risk, but the elderly and infants are most likely to get sick due from carbon monoxide poisoning. Those with certain ailments such as chronic heart disease, breathing problems, or anemia are very much at risk as well.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often described to be like that of the flu. You can get headaches, upset stomach, dizziness, chest pains, or confusion, among others. If someone is asleep or drunk while inhaling the gas, they can die without even feeling any symptoms.

How do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in my home?

Fortunately, there are carbon monoxide detectors on the market and you simply need to install it somewhere you can immediately notice when it alarms such as outside the bedrooms. You only need to mind replacing the batteries twice a year and replacing the detector itself every 5 years and you’re pretty much good to go.

The general rule of thumb is just to avoid any type of burning indoors to lower the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in the first place. Make sure that your ventilators work properly and if you find any damage whatsoever, call a professional to fix it as repairs done improperly can be a cause of carbon monoxide buildup.

 

For more information, contact Vinny’s Jersey Plumbing, located in Wayne, New Jersey.  We also service other towns in New Jersey, such as Paramus, Parsippany and Verona.