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The Effects of CO Exposure

When you breathe carbon monoxide, it enters your bloodstream
through your lungs and attaches to red blood cells. These red blood
cells, called haemoglobin, carry oxygen throughout your body. CO mol-
ecules attach to the red blood cells 200 times faster than oxygen, pre-
venting the flow of oxygen to your heart, brain and vital organs. As CO
accumulates in your bloodstream, your body becomes starved for oxy-
gen. The amount of CO in a person’s body can be measured by a sim-
ple blood test, called a “carboxyhaemoglobin level” test . 
The early symptoms of CO poisoning are often mistaken for the flu –
headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and
confusion.  Breathing very high concentrations of CO can be lethal in
minutes. 

Your Family at Risk for CO Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is the number one cause of poisoning deaths. While
anyone is susceptible, experts agree that unborn babies, small chil-
dren, senior citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are
especially vulnerable to CO and are at the greatest risk for death or
serious injury.

Where CO Comes From

Inside your home, fuel burning appliances used for heating and cooking
are the most likely sources of CO. Vehicles running in attached
garages can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
A by-product of combustion, CO can be a potential problem from a
number of common sources such as –  a running automobile, a furnace
or water heater leak or misuse of a fireplace, wood stove, charcoal grill,
a gas range and space heater leak or misuse,  and running portable
generators where exhaust can enter the home.
When appliances are in good working condition and with proper ventila-
tion, lethal CO gas is vented outdoors where it quickly disperses. Even
the slightest malfunction or misuse of any of the above sources can
lead to a build-up of CO in your home that can become deadly before
you even know it’s there.
You don’t have to have ancient appliances to have a CO problem.

14

What You Should Know Before the Alarm Sounds

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Summary of Contents for 900 0191

Page 1: ...ack of the alarm Date of Purchase Where Purchased For questions concerning your Alarm please call Kidde Safety Europe on 01753 685148 Attention Please take a few minutes to thoroughly read this manual...

Page 2: ...our family Home safety tips Determine if anyone in the household is at high risk for CO poisoning The Effects of Carbon Monoxide Exposure Understand the effects of carbon monoxide exposure What to Do...

Page 3: ...S PRODUCT IS INTENDED FOR USE IN ORDINARY INDOOR RESIDENTIAL AREAS IT IS NOT DESIGNED TO MEASURE COMPLIANCE WITH COMMERCIAL AND INDUS TRIAL STANDARDS THE INSTALLATION OF THIS DEVICE SHOULD NOT BE USED...

Page 4: ...ions about how to configure your alarm for installation Step 4 Install the alarm Plug the alarm into a standard un switched 230 volt AC electrical outlet in one of the alarm configurations listed in s...

Page 5: ...erious problems can develop when combustion by products are not properly vented outside the house That s why it s so important to your safety that you have a CO alarm Please take the time to read this...

Page 6: ...ith back door removed Power Cord Adapter Cord Strain Relief Battery Connector 9 volt Backup Battery Fault Power Alarm Cord Recess Your CO Alarm This Kidde alarm is the only CO alarm that gives you the...

Page 7: ...ms Sounder Alarm This is the loud 85 decibel pulsing alarm that will sound to alert you to a potential problem Pullout Transformer Adapter This unique Kidde alarm feature enables the alarm to be used...

Page 8: ...without reaching the alarm Doors or other obstructions may affect the rate at which CO reaches the unit In addi tion fresh air from a vent or open window or any other source may pre vent CO from reach...

Page 9: ...le and backing it out of the garage the level of remaining CO present can activate the alarm and cause a nuisance alarm In the kitchen some gas appliances can emit a short burst of CO upon start up Th...

Page 10: ...several fuel burning appliances com peting for limited internal air 4 Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from a clothes drier fur nace or water heater 5 Obstructions in or unconventional vent pipe...

Page 11: ...remove the twist tie and extend the power cord 5 With the power cord extended tuck the last few inches of the power cord into the cord recess See the illustration on page 4 Gently pull the cord at the...

Page 12: ...s restored the alarm will automatically switch back to normal operating mode Low Battery Warning If the 9 volt battery is missing or if the battery s power is low the alarm will beep as well as the re...

Page 13: ...should then hear 8 seconds of quick beeps It will then return to moni toring for CO Familiarize yourself and household members with the alarm pattern described above a CO event While on AC power in t...

Page 14: ...larm or a malfunction alert reset the alarm open windows for ventila tion and evacuate the premises immediately Then call the Kidde Freephone Customer Hotline at 0800 917 0722 for assistance Never ign...

Page 15: ...Memory function To access the Peak Level Memory press the Peak button If a reading of 50 PPM or higher has been recorded the unit will beep 8 times If you ve been away from home this feature allows yo...

Page 16: ...or citizens and people with heart or respiratory problems are especially vulnerable to CO and are at the greatest risk for death or serious injury Where CO Comes From Inside your home fuel burning app...

Page 17: ...turn a normally safe situation deadly That s why you need the 24 hour protection provided by a CO alarm Home Safety Tips What You Can Do Buy only appliances approved by a nationally recognized testin...

Page 18: ...f the symptoms of CO poisoning headaches dizziness weakness sleepiness nausea vomiting confusion and disorientation Recognize that CO poisoning may be the cause when family What You Should Know Before...

Page 19: ...e chimney Loose damaged or discoloured bricks on your chimney Hidden Causes of CO Emission Internal appliance damage or malfunctioning components Improper burner adjustment Hidden blockage or damage i...

Page 20: ...type to another without proper knowledge skills and tools Never use a gas range oven or clothes dryer for heating Never operate unvented gas burning appliances such as kerosene or natural gas space he...

Page 21: ...of the CO problem has been identified and corrected The Effects of Carbon Monoxide Exposure 19 The Effects of Carbon Monoxide Exposure 100 200 400 800 1600 3200 6400 12800 PARTS PER MILLION PERCENT OF...

Page 22: ...Gas 3 Immediately move to fresh air Do a head count to check that all persons are accounted for Do not re enter the premises until British Gas responders have arrived the premises have been aired out...

Page 23: ...if necessary Call a Qualified Technician to Find and Repair the Problem Call a qualified service technician such as a licensed heat ing contractor utility service technician or fuel provider to inspec...

Page 24: ...lps the responders know how severe the problem was before they arrived The CO problem was caused by a source that fluctuates on and off sometimes creating CO and sometimes not Such a situation makes i...

Page 25: ...ctions Battery Backup A 9 volt battery is needed If battery is low or missing while the unit is plugged into a 230V outlet the unit will beep in uni son with the red LED flashing and the yellow LED wi...

Page 26: ...to replace the alarm Seven years after initial power up this unit will chirp every 30 sec onds to indicate that it is time to replace the alarm A label has been affixed to the side of the alarm that...

Page 27: ...for loss of use of this product or for any indirect special incidental or consequential damages or costs or expenses incurred by the consumer or any other user of this product whether due to a breach...

Page 28: ...for any par ticular purpose with respect of the batteries For Warranty Service In many cases the quickest way to exchange your CO alarm is to return it to the original place of purchase If you have q...

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