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Poisoning indicates that while victims are aware they are not well, they become
so disoriented they are unable to save themselves by either exiting the building
or calling for assistance. Also, young children and household pets may be the first
affected. Familiarization with the effects of each level is important.
Prepare and practice a home escape plan twice a year, including drills at night.
Know two ways out of every room (door & window) and identify a meeting place
outside the home where everyone will gather once they have exited
theresidence. When two people have reached the meeting place, one should
leave to call 911 while the second person stays to account for additional family
members. Establish a rule that once you’re out, you never reenter under any
circumstance!
Never smoke in bed, or leave cooking food unattended. Teach children never to
play with matches or lighters! Train everyone in the home to recognize the alarm
pattern, voice message warning and to leave the home using their escape plan
when it’s heard. Know how to do “Stop, Drop and Roll” if clothes catch on fire, and
how to crawl low under smoke. Install and maintain fire extinguishers on every
level of the home and in the kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a
fire extinguisher prior to an emergency. Second level and higher occupied
rooms with windows should have an escape ladder.
Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping
individuals, and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are
capable of assisting others to provide assistance to those who may not be
awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely
evacuating the area unassisted.
• Excessive spillage or reverse venting of fuel-burning appliances caused by
outdoor ambient conditions, such as wind direction and/or velocity, including
high gusts of wind, heavy air in the vent pipes (cold/humid air with extended
periods between cycles).
• Negative pressure resulting from the use of exhaust fans.
• Simultaneous operation of several fuel-burning appliances competing for limited
internal air.
• Vent pipe connections vibrating loose from clothes dryers, furnaces, or water
heaters.
• Obstructions in, or unconventional, vent pipe designs which can amplify the
above situations.
• Extended operation of unvented fuel-burning devices (range, oven, fireplace,
etc.).
• Temperature inversions which can trap exhaust gases near the ground.
• A car idling in an open or closed attached garage, or near a home
