Safety First - Carbon Monoxide: Are You Safe?

This is the second part of our series by our Associate Editor, Tania Cowling

Ways to prevent CO2 exposure

*Make sure major appliances are professionally installed and inspected according to local building codes. Have older appliances checked for malfunctions and leaks.
*Choose vented appliances when possible.
*Have heating systems inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician annually. Make sure the chimney is clean and with a proper draft control to ensure a proper vent for flue gases.
*Check the color of the gas in the burner and pilot light flames. A yellow-colored flame indicates the fuel is not burning efficiently and could be releasing more carbon monoxide.
*Never use a gas oven to heat your facility.
*Do not burn charcoal indoors.
*Never operate gasoline-powered engines or generators in confined areas in or near the building.
*Never leave a vehicle running in a garage or closed area. Even if the garage door is open, normal circulation will not supply enough fresh air to prevent a buildup of CO gas.

Detectors Can Save Lives
Just as smoke detectors provide early warning of fires, the use of carbon monoxide detectors also can save lives. Install CO alarms in each room on every level of your home based childcare or center facility, especially outside any areas in where children sleep; and make certain people can hear the CO alarm in each room.
To reduce the number of nuisance alarms, be sure to install the alarms at least 15 feet away from potential CO sources, such as furnaces, hot water heaters, gas stoves, clothes dryers, and fireplaces. It also is wise to keep alarms away from ceiling fans, heat vents, air conditioners, or open windows. Blowing air may prevent carbon monoxide from reaching the CO sensors. For ease of viewing you can locate the alarm 5-feet off the floor.
If and when your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, the first thing to remember is not to panic. Quickly move everyone to a place, preferably outdoors, that provides a source of fresh air. Once there, call 911 or the fire department. Do not re-enter the building until it is thoroughly aired out and emergency personnel have determined that there is no risk. It is wise to call a qualified professional to come and investigate the source of the possible CO buildup at your center.
Maintain the CO alarm just as you maintain a smoke detector. Set a maintenance schedule to replace batteries and test the alarm. Changing batteries at one or both of the Daylight Savings Time changes is an easy schedule to remember.
In addition, test alarms each month by pressing and holding the test/silence button until the alarm sounds. If an alarm signals a malfunction, first check to see if the battery is installed properly. If this does not fix the malfunction, replace the alarm. All CO alarms should be replaced every five years.

Important Resources

http://www.carbonmonoxidekills.com
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html
http://www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com
Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222



Tania Cowling is the Associate editor of ETLC Online, an author of early childhood teacher resource books, freelance writer and former ECE teacher.
**Reprinted With Permission—Healthy Child Care Magazine
http://www.healthychild.net
http://www.childhealthonline.org