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Carbon Monoxide Facts | View pdf
Over the past few months we’ve had many requests for information on Carbon Monoxide Detectors. At Lowitt Alarms we always strive to provide you with the latest information and products to keep your family safe and secure. We strongly believe that monitored Central Station Carbon Monoxide Detectors are vital to your family’s well being. This month we are featuring excerpts from the National Fire Prevention Association’s fact sheet on Carbon Monoxide.

What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are possible sources of CO. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of CO.

However, consumers can protect themselves against CO poisoning by properly installing, using, venting and maintaining their heating and cooking equipment; by installing CO alarms inside their homes; and by being cautious with vehicles or generators in attached garages.

How can you protect yourself from CO poisoning?
The best defenses against CO poisoning are safe use of vehicles (particularly in attached garages) and proper installation, use, venting, and maintenance of household cooking and heating equipment. Have a qualified service professional inspect your fuel burning appliances at least once a year. Install UL listed CO detectors outside sleeping areas and near all fuel burning appliances.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?
CO poisoning victims may initially suffer from flu-like symptoms including nausea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and breathing difficulty. Because CO poisoning often causes a victim’s blood pressure to rise, the skin may take on a pink or red cast.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips from the NFPA
If you need to warm up a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle, generator, or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if the garage doors are open. CO from a running vehicle or generator inside an attached garage can get inside the house, even with the garage door open. Normal circulation does not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent dangerous accumulations inside.

If you have any symptoms of CO poisoning, have your vehicle inspected for exhaust leaks.

All chimneys and chimney connectors should be evaluated by a qualified technician to verify proper installation, and check for cracks, blockages, or leaks. Make needed repairs before using the equipment.

Before enclosing central heating equipment in a smaller room, check with your fuel supplier to ensure that air for proper combustion is provided.

When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.

Open a window slightly when using kerosene or gas heater. (Kerosene heaters are illegal in many states. Always check with local authorities before buying or using one.) Only refuel outside, after the device has cooled.

Only use barbeque grills – which can produce CO – outside. Never use them in the home or garage.

When purchasing new heating and cooking equipment, select products that are tested and labeled by an independent testing laboratory. Do not accept damaged equipment. Hire a qualified technician (usually employed by the local oil or gas company) to install the equipment. Ask about – and insist that the technician follow – applicable fire safety and building codes.

When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the scaled spaces between the garage and the house.

Lowitt Alarms To Secure 2009 US Open
Lowitt Alarms was recently selected to provide a security system to protect the merchandising area at the 2009 US Open at Bethpage State Park. After consulting with the staff of the 2009 US Open, Lowitt Alarms designed and installed a state of the art system.

OOPS!
Set off your alarm by accident??
Please call Central Station at 516.938.9077 OR 718.961.9500.

Extra Protection
Lawn Signs and Window Decals are the first line of defense against would-be intruders. By prominently displaying both Lowitt Alarms Lawn Signs and Window Decals, the chances of a burglar moving on to an easier target go up dramatically. Give us a call at 516.433.6960 ext 144 and we will be pleased to send you additional signs or decals for your home or business.