Alarm Saves Neighbor's Life: PG Fire Official

When a carbon monoxide detector sounded the alarm Sunday in a Greenbelt apartment, it saved the life of a woman in another unit, according to authorities.

Prince George’s County Fire Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady says a resident called 911 about 12:30 p.m. Sunday after her CO detector sounded a warning indicating unsafe levels of the odorless gas. Firefighters and paramedics responded to 6101 Beezewood Court, a three-story garden-style apartment building.

Apartment complex maintenance workers arrived before firefighters and started to ventilate the building to reduce carbon monoxide levels inside.

Firefighters used gas meters to find 100 parts per million of the gas. Brady says a CO reading of up to 35 ppm is considered normal, while any level above 35 parts per million is considered unhealthy. All occupants were evacuated as firefighters searched the building for the carbon monoxide source.

When firefighters received no response from one resident they forced their way inside and found a woman who had stopped breathing. EMTs and paramedics worked to revive the woman and soon had her breathing on her own. She was taken to an area hospital in critical condition, Brady says.

Firefighters discovered a dislodged ventilation pipe that carries the toxic CO gas from a basement water heater to the outdoors. The patient’s apartment on the first floor was directly above the basement water heater. The appliance was shut down and ordered to be repaired before being tuned back on. The apartment building was ventilated and occupants were allowed to return.

A working CO detector is the only method residents can use to detect the presence of carbon monoxide, the department says. CO detectors may be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores.

Sources of the gas include unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages. A broken or malfunctioning ventilation system for these appliances is often found to be at fault for the release of CO into the home.

CO Poisoning Prevention Tips

• In Prince George’s County, it is now a law that you have at least one battery-powered CO detector on each level of your home and near sleeping areas, and make sure it is more than 5 feet from fuel-burning appliances to prevent false alarms. The Fire/EMS Department strongly encourages the use of a 10-year CO detector.
• Ensure that fuel-burning appliances are properly installed and working according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Inspect these appliances for adequate ventilation.
• Do not burn charcoal inside your house, even in the fireplace.
• Do not use gasoline-powered generators inside of your house.
• Keep chimneys clear of animal nests, leaves and residue to ensure proper venting.
• Do not block or seal shut exhaust flues or ducts for appliances, such as water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.

If It Happens to You

• Never ignore your CO detectors if it sounds.
• Determine if anyone in the household is experiencing symptoms of CO exposure symptoms such as a headache, nausea, drowsiness or confusion. Call 911.
• Exit your home. Leave the CO detector where it is.
• Do not return to your home until the emergency personnel have arrived, the home is aired out and your CO alarm returns to normal operation.

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