these signs are present get the appliance
checked out by an expert before further
use. If family members are ill get medical
help.
2. Choose all appliances and vehicles
which burn fossil fuels such as coal,
oil, natural/bottled gas, paraffin, wood,
petrol, diesel, charcoal, etc. with care and
have them professionally installed and
regularly maintained.
3. These appliances must “breathe in”
air to burn the fuel properly. Know where
the air comes from and ensure vents/
air bricks, etc. remain unobstructed
(particularly after building work).
4. The appliances must also “breathe
out” the waste gases (including the CO) –
usually through a flue or chimney. Ensure
chimneys and flues are not blocked or
leaking, and get them checked every
year. Check for excessive rust or cracks
on appliances and pipe work.
5. Never leave your car, motor bike or
lawnmower engine running in the garage
with the garage door closed. Never leave
the door from the house to the garage
open if the car is running.
6. Never adjust your own gas pilot lights.
7. Never use a gas cooker or a barbecue
for home heating.
8. Children should be warned of the
dangers of CO poisoning and instructed
never to touch, or interfere with the CO
Alarm. Do not allow small children to
press the test/hush button as they could
be subjected to excessive noise when the
unit alarms.
9. Leaving windows or doors slightly
open (even a few inches) will
significantly reduce the risk of high
levels of CO occurring. The high levels
of draught-proofing in modern houses
reduces ventilation and can allow
dangerous gases to build up.
10. Install CO Alarms in all the areas
recommended in this booklet.
11. Recognize that CO poisoning may be
the cause when family members suffer
from “flu-like” symptoms when at home
but feel better when they are away for
extended periods.
8. Getting Your Alarm
Serviced
If your CO Alarm fails to work after you
have carefully read all the instructions,
check that the unit has been installed
correctly, and ensured that it has good
1. Operate reset/ Silence button.
2. Call your emergency services Fire
Department or 911.
3. Immediately move to fresh air –
outdoors or by an open door/ window. Do
a head count to check that all persons
are accounted for. DO NOT re-enter the
premises until the emergency services
responders have arrived, the premises
have been aired out and your Alarm
remains in its normal condition.
4. After following steps 1-3, if your Alarm
reactivates within a 24 hour period,
repeat steps 1-3 and call a qualified
appliance technician to investigate
for sources of CO from fuel burning
equipment and appliances, and inspect
for proper operation of this equipment.
If problems are identified during this
inspection have the equipment serviced
immediately. Note any combustion
equipment not inspected by the
technician and consult the manufacturers’
instructions, or contact the manufacturer
directly, for more information about CO
safety and this equipment. Make sure
that motor vehicles are not, and have not
been, operating in an attached garage or
adjacent to the residence.
Note:
When ventilation is provided by
leaving the window and doors open, the
CO build up may have dissipated by
the time help arrives and the Alarm may
have stopped sounding. Although your
problem may appear temporarily solved,
it is crucial that the source of the CO
is determined and appropriate repairs
made.
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7. How to Protect Your
Family
Follow these guidelines to reduce the risk
of Carbon Monoxide poisoning:
1. Know and look out for tell-tale signs
that Carbon Monoxide may be present.
These include:
-The CO Alarm warning of abnormal
levels.
-Staining, sooting or discoloration on or
around appliances.
-A pilot light frequently going out.
-A strange smell when an appliance is
operating.
-A naked gas flame which is yellow or
orange, instead of the normal blue.
- Family members (including pets)
exhibiting the “flu-like” symptoms of CO
poisoning described above. If any of
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