Installing Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Norman, OK

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas often produced by the incomplete burning of fossil fuels, such as wood, charcoal, coal, kerosene, gasoline, oil, or natural gas. This dangerous gas is formed when combustion doesn't fully convert these materials into carbon dioxide. Exposure to carbon monoxide can be extremely harmful due to its interaction with hemoglobin in the blood. This interaction can lead to potentially fatal outcomes if inhaled in significant amounts. With the dangers in mind, it is vital to ensure proper ventilation and monitoring in spaces where combustion occurs to mitigate the risk of carbon monoxide accumulation and exposure. Installing carbon monoxide detectors and regularly maintaining appliances can help keep this silent threat at bay, safeguarding your family's health and well-being.

Recognizing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms is crucial for your health and safety. If you suspect exposure has caused illness in yourself or others, promptly move to a ventilated area and call emergency services. Mild carbon monoxide exposure may cause symptoms such as a slight headache, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, or flu-like conditions. Medium exposure could lead to a severe headache, confusion, drowsiness, or increased heart rate. High levels of exposure might cause you to lose consciousness, experience seizures, or suffer cardiac and respiratory failure. This type of exposure risks brain damage and can be fatal. Mr. Electric of Norman will gladly install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to ensure you know when CO poisoning is possible.

This silent killer can come from anything that uses fossil fuels, including oil, gasoline, kerosene, wood, coal, or propane. Examples of possible carbon monoxide sources include vehicle engines, portable and indoor heating systems, charcoal grills, indoor and camp stoves, portable propane heaters, and natural gas water heaters. These common sources can produce carbon monoxide because of any of the following situations:

• An appliance failure or malfunction occurs, such as a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace.
• A vent, chimney, or flue gets obstructed by debris or snow.
• A wood stove, fireplace, charcoal grill, or other burning source doesn't have correct ventilation.
• A vehicle idles in an attached garage, allowing carbon monoxide to enter the home.
• Multiple appliances operating simultaneously can compete for fresh air, leading to carbon monoxide accumulation. This may cause incomplete combustion and CO production, even if all appliances function correctly.

Carbon monoxide is not denser or heavier than your household air. This means a carbon monoxide source can disperse the gas evenly across a room and throughout an entire home. When setting up a carbon monoxide detector, select a clean, secure spot away from children and pets to ensure it works accurately and lasts as long as possible. At Mr. Electric of Norman, we urge you to consider placing the alarm near sleeping areas and heating sources to maximize safety. You should also regularly test the alarm to ensure it functions correctly, providing peace of mind and protection against this invisible danger.

Your first action is to turn off the alarm. After deactivating the CO alarm, quickly evacuate everyone to an area with fresh air, such as outdoors or by an open window or door. Do a head count to ensure everyone is out of your home. Then, contact emergency services, the fire department, or 911 to report the activation of your carbon monoxide alarm. You should avoid returning inside or leaving the open door or window area until emergency personnel arrive, the place is ventilated, and the carbon monoxide alarm shows normal status.