New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office Offers Carbon Monoxide Safety Information For Residents

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office has provided some carbon monoxide safety for residents to keep in mind.

In a news release Friday, the fire marshal's office said "multiple carbon monoxide incidents" were recently reported in New Canaan.

The following safety information was provided by the New Canaan Fire Marshal's Office:

Carbon monoxide (CO) safety relies on a system involving:

1. Ensuring that you have functioning CO detectors on all floors of your residence.
2. Avoiding running gas-powered equipment inside or near the residence.
3. Evacuating the residence if the CO Detector activates and then calling 911 for NCFD response.

Carbon Monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion and is dangerous to health when someone is exposed to elevated readings.

It is odorless and colorless, and without a Carbon Monoxide Detector you will not know that you have been exposed to CO until you present with symptoms.

If you are exposed to high levels of CO it can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

The symptoms of CO exposure are:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness/Light Headedness
• Fatigue

There are a few things that you can do to protect yourself:

• Install CO Detectors on every level of your home.
  • Read the instructions, as larger homes may require more than one detector per floor.
  • Check the detectors and replace batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.
• Have all utility units in your residence serviced annually. Examples are furnaces, boilers, water heaters or gas-fed dryers.
• Do not use gasoline-powered equipment like power washers or generators within 20 feet of the structure. The most recent CO emergencies that the NCFD responded to were due to gasoline-powered equipment being operated inside or in close proximity to the structure.

Most Important

If your CO Detector is activated, assume there is CO being present. Do not disregard the activation or attempt to investigate. Remember, CO is odorless and colorless and you will not be able to detect its presence until you develop symptoms and are already sick.

Evacuate your home immediately and call 911. The NCFD will respond immediately and use specialized meters to monitor the air in your residence and mitigate any leaks found.