Back to News
California's Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week Urges Heightened Precautions to Reduce Danger of CO Poisoning
Safety Guidelines from First Alert Can Help Prevent Tragedy
Aurora, Ill. (November 7, 2007) - As California marks the second week of November as Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week, residents of the Golden State are being encouraged to
educate themselves about the deadly gas and take precautionary measures to protect their loved
ones from accidental poisonings. With thousands of residents just returning to their homes and
beginning recovery efforts following California's tragic wildfires, many without power may turn to
alternative power and heat sources as a temporary solution. Proper use of these products and
following recommended safety guidelines is urged to reduce the risk of CO exposure.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning is a threat whenever gas-powered or fuel-burning products are
being used," said Debbie Hanson, director of external affairs for BRK Brands/First Alert, a leading
manufacturer of home safety products, including CO alarms. "But following natural disasters and other
tragedies there is a heightened risk because people tend to forget basic safety rules when they're
rushing to restore power, especially if they are dealing with other aspects of recovery."
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless and tasteless by-product of the incomplete
combustion of gas, oil, wood, coal, and other fuels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, CO poisoning claims more than 500 lives and sends another 15,000 people to hospital
emergency rooms for treatment each year in the United States. In fact, more people die each year
through unintentional CO exposure than from any other single poison, reports the Journal of the
American Medical Association.
The following safety tips will help residents avoid CO and other dangers associated with power
outages and changes in seasonal temperatures:
- Never run a generator indoors or in a poorly ventilated area such as a garage or porch,
and use the appropriate-size power cords to carry the electric load.
- Install a minimum of one battery-operated CO alarm (or AC-powered alarm with
battery backup) outside each sleeping area, and for maximum protection install at least
one CO alarm on each level of the home.
- Ensure that CO alarms have working batteries installed.
- Never burn charcoal or other outdoor cooking appliances indoors or in the garage.
- Inspect and clean any soot and debris, such as bird nests and paper, out of the
chimneys, flues and stacks.
Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect without the help of CO alarms. Outward physical
symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain
and confusion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least
one UL-listed CO alarm with an audible warning signal near sleeping areas. UL-listed, batteryoperated
CO alarms are available in most major retail and home-improvement stores. To learn more
about protecting your family from carbon monoxide and other home hazards, visit
www.firstalert.com.
BRK Brands, Inc. (Aurora, IL), is a fully owned subsidiary of Jarden Corporation (Rye, NY) NYSE:JAH, a leading
provider of niche consumer products used in and around the home. For nearly 40 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has
been the manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide
alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders. Such products are also manufactured and marketed under the
BRK Electronics® brand for the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more
than 30 countries worldwide. For more information, visit
www.firstalert.com,
www.brkelectronics.com or
www.jarden.com.
Back to News
