Will A Carbon Monoxide Detector Detect A Gas Leak In Morgantown
One of the jobs you should to perform as a homeowner is to guard you, your family, and your house from various risks like floods, fire, and break-ins. You will also fret about toxins that might be in the very air you breathe. As it pertains to ”the silent killer”, you may be asking yourself if a CO detector will detect a gas leak in Morgantown.
The quick answer is "They will not," but carbon monoxide detectors can still be a vital piece of your house’s defense. Here's what you have to understand when safeguarding against gasses that could invade your home.
Carbon monoxide is different than natural gas
While CO and natural gas may be linked, it's vital to understand the difference between the two. Natural gas leaks can happen in many places, definitely when your supply line enters your house or within the area of your furnace. These types of leaks can be dangerous since natural gas is combustible, and you have a big change of explosions and fires. Of course, you will likely notice leaks immediately because of a marker that creates the intense smell. If you find the odor you immediately get a hold of 911 directly and vacate the house.
CO Is A Fragrance-Free, Invisible Threat To Your Health
Carbon Monoxide is a dangerous gas which is a byproduct of incomplete or improper burning of fuel. It typically enters your house with a faulty furnace, clothes dryer, or gas fireplace. While not as common as natural gas, it is still flammable. But the more urgent problem is to your health. Carbon monoxide doesn't have the odor additives that are in natural gas, so it's an odorless "silent killer."
Carbon monoxide stops your body from getting the O2 it needs
After CO invades your body, it stops blood cells from transporting the oxygen your body requires. Essentially, carbon monoxide can fixate you, and it's especially hazardous to toddlers and babies who might breath more shallow and whose vitals are still developing. When you experience CO poisoning, you might have headaches, dizziness, nausea, and problems breathing. Prolonged exposure may lead to loss of consciousness or death.
CO detectors may be one of the most important safety equipment
While a CO detector may not warn about a gas leak in Morgantown, it can save your life by alerting you to this odorless and deadly byproduct. The biggest hazard is late at night when your asleep, as you likely won't discover what's the problem. Of course, even if you’re active, you're still unlikely to know that CO has infiltrated your living areas.
So treat a CO detector like a fire detector. Put these components higher up on your walls or ceiling as carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air. Each level of your house should see at least one sensor. And it's highly suggested to place them near bedrooms. Also, you should test your carbon monoxide detectors every month.
Pair your CO detectors into your smart security system
When you integrate your CO detector into your security system, you add another blanket of protection. Not only will you enjoy accurate CO detection, but you can also get mobile alerts and a quick response from your dedicated 24/7 monitoring agents. Monitoring is definitely needed with a carbon monoxide problem, as they’ll make sure help will show up even if you aren’t able make it to the phone yourself.