Do fire alarms actually save lives or just deafen people?

Q. I've always said that if the house is on fire the thing that will wake me up is the fire. And I don't live in a mansion, worst comes to worse I hop out a window and break a leg.

Are there any real instances of people waking up from real fires and living?

Answer
Smoke detectors save lives. The silent killer, carbon monoxide, will displace oxygen and kill you long before you burn. I have carried bodies out of houses that didn't have a single burn on them. But they died because they did not have working smoke detectors. and CO got them as they slept. CO detectors also save lots of lives. That's why you should check you batteries when you change the clocks for daylight savings time and standard time. I see people all the time who got out of their houses or apartments alive because of smoke detectors.

Do I need to worry about Carbon Monoxide?

.

I have a very old gas stove/oven and baked a frozen pizza in it tonight. I thought I had turned it off, but accidentally turned it the wrong way, so the oven was empty on broil for about 30 minutes. I could smell gas so I went to check and turned it off. We are able to go to bed with a window cracked, do you think we need to worry about Carbon Monoxide from the gas oven? I've never smelled it quite so strong as I did before I turned it off...

Answer
First of all, carbon monoxide detectors are not that expensive and they can and do save lives! Second, you can not smell carbon monoxide. That is why it is so deadly. People don't know they are being poisoned by it. Third, the more fuel burning appliances you have the greater the risk of one of them malfunctioning and killing you and your whole family with something that an investment of $30-$50 could have prevented. What you smelled may have been another dangerous problem, but it wasn't carbon monoxide.

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Will a carbon monoxide detector detect a gas leak in the house?

Lucy Locke

I notice a faint smell of gas in the house. Will a carbon monoxide detector register a gas leak?

Answer
No, carbon monoxide and natural gas are two different things. Carbon monoxide is produced when a hydrocarbon fuel is not combusted completely. Natural gas is about 96% methane with a small amount of ethane mixed in. It is a colorless and odorless gas. An odorant is added to it to give a garlic like smell to it so you can detect leakage. If you suspect a natural gas leak you should have a qualified service technician come in and perform a leak test. It is fairly simple to do and will quite possibly save your life or home. Natural gas is lighter than air and will rise. It can accumulate in pockets beneath floors or ceilings. All it needs then is a spark or other source of ignition. Often times a pilot light can be blown out and allow small amounts of natural gas to build up. Over a few hours a large amount of the gas can be released. Do not take this matter lightly, it can be extremely dangerous if it is not taken care of.

Does the smoke detector save lives? why?

jc

Answer
Of course it does. It gives advance warning that your house may be on fire. That enables people to escape the blaze or build up of carbon monoxide.

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We have a new kerosene heater, is it alright to use the kerosene that one already has?

carbon monoxide detectors save lives image

mlynnej

I have been using an upright kerosene heater. Due to the warm weather here in NC, I have not had a chance to crank it up. But I have recently purchased a new flat top kerosene heater. I have some left over kerosene from last winter and was wondering if it would alright to use the kerosene that I have on hand or would it be prudent to go and get some new or have some new mixed in with the old?

I would like some answers ASAP for a winter storm warning is in effect for tomorrow in my area. Thank you all.

Answer
Please keep in mind -- there is the danger of Carbon Monoxide poisoning with ANY open flame combustion.

Pay attention to the warnings on the packaging and on the unit.

Open flame space heaters, such as a kerosene heater, need to be used in a WELL VENTILATED space. A HEADACHE, or feeling of drowsiness are among the FIRST SYMPTOMS of overexposure to CO. Carbon Monoxide is invisible, and odorless.... Please do not operate this unit without a CO detector in the room. It could save your life.

With the recent power outages across Missouri, many people were using portable generators. One family had a generator in their garage. The wife went out to fill the tank... and was dead before she reached the generator... that is how quickly CO in an enclosed space can kill.

Interestingly -- Most manufactured home builders will VOID your warranty, if you use a Kerosene heater in a mobile or modular home.

As to the kerosene you mention, any flammable liquid can absorb water (most often by condensation inside the container), and this will cause the fuel to burn less efficiently, and to smoke more. My personal solution to this, would be to set the heater OUTSIDE, and burn the old fuel up. Then start with some fresh fuel...again.... burning it for a while OUTSIDE, to make sure the old fuel had been completely consumed. Naturally, you want to do this in a safe location.

I personally prefer to use electric space heaters (ceramic, or oil-contained - radiant) and a generator. The generator can also help power your refrigerator, and/or some lights, depending on it's size. I place the generator OUTSIDE the home, and run a very heavy duty extension cord to inside the home. This keeps my family warm, with lights, and safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Be Safe (and good luck with the storm)

Do fire alarms actually save lives or just deafen people?

Q. I've always said that if the house is on fire the thing that will wake me up is the fire. And I don't live in a mansion, worst comes to worse I hop out a window and break a leg.

Are there any real instances of people waking up from real fires and living?

Answer
Smoke detectors save lives. The silent killer, carbon monoxide, will displace oxygen and kill you long before you burn. I have carried bodies out of houses that didn't have a single burn on them. But they died because they did not have working smoke detectors. and CO got them as they slept. CO detectors also save lots of lives. That's why you should check you batteries when you change the clocks for daylight savings time and standard time. I see people all the time who got out of their houses or apartments alive because of smoke detectors.

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There is an irregular, electronic chirp emanating from our kitchen ceiling. What could this possibly be?

carbon monoxide detectors save lives image

Patrick D.

We thought it was our carbon monoxide detectors, but we took the batteries out of all of them and no dice. It seems very clearly to come from inside of the ceiling.... but the problem is that it's not a drop ceiling and we have no access inside of the ceiling. More like a chirp than a beep, and it occurs every couple of minutes, though with no regularity.

Answer
If you removed the batteries, then for sure you're going to experience the "chirping" sound. There should be a little indicator light that, with a fully charged battery, should be green. You experiencing the "chirp" sound tells me that the light on your detector is going to be an orange or red color. This is your indication to replace the battery, which, nine times out of ten, is going to be a 9 volt battery. In most cases, the actual light in which I have just mentioned acts as a "Test" button as well...Some units have a test button off to the side. Anyway, upon depressing this particular button consecutively for at least 10 seconds, the alarm will go off, indicating that it's fully operational again...Note: the alarm will shut itself off automatically, however there should be a hush button to do it sooner... This "chirping" sound was designed to be irritating. Placed there deliberately by the manufacturer to identify when to change the battery...Believe it or not, this annoying chirp can and has saved many lives...Good Luck !!!

All homes in New York State must now have carbon monoxide detectors. How can they enforce this?

weakestlin

Does some "inspector" come around to every home and ask to see your detector? Or is there some place you have to register it? What if I don't get one - what can anyone do about it?

Answer
Well - if you are overcome by smoke - they take you to the hospital.

Then - after they discover you do not have a smoke detector - you may have to pay the hospital bill $1000-$2000 plus the Rescue Squad fee - $330/500 and if you don't make it - your insurance may not cover your funeral.

Curious: Why would you not want one - when it could save your life or the lives of your loved ones?

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