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What is the purpose of a carbon monoxide detector?

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Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is given off during the burning of fossil fuels. In other words, when we burn coal, charcoal, gasoline, natural gas, other fossil fuels, and even wood, we are introducing fossil fuels into the air. Poorly vented fireplaces, stoves, chimneys and vents can all leak carbon monoxide into the air, as can vehicles left running in an attached garage.

According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, 1,500 people die and 10,000 people become ill each year because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood and produces the toxic compound carboxyhemoglobin. Minimal exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms, and as exposure levels increase, a person becomes drowsy and confused, develops a fast heart rate, and experiences convulsions, heart and lung failure, and brain damage, before eventually dying. Some people are more prone to carbon monoxide poisoning than others, but it is a toxic chemical to all of us.

Carbon monoxide detectors warn you and your family of the presence of carbon monoxide in your home. Like detectors, carbon monoxide detectors remain active twenty-four hours a day, and when the detector senses carbon monoxide in the air, it sounds a loud alarm that continues until the alarm is turned off. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, you cannot detect the presence of carbon monoxide without a carbon monoxide detector. Consequently, you will likely not have warning before the alarm sounds, but ideally, the detector will warn you of the presence of carbon monoxide before you ever experience symptoms.

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