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Caution: Mind your sensor
Carbon monoxide detectors expire despite operative power source
Tara Bannow
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: Money/Health
When a Kidde carbon monoxide detector reaches its end-of-life, it emits a chirping noise or, if it has a digital display screen, it will read "ERROR" or "END," Caldwell said, adding these obstructions will persist despite a battery change.
"If you have a UL-listed carbon monoxide alarm, it should function normally up to its end-of-life," Drengenberg said, adding the major carbon monoxide detector manufacturers are UL-listed.
Most retailers would not risk putting a product on the shelf without a UL mark on it, he said.
According to the World Health Organization, carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas, is produced by combustion appliances such as space heaters or gas stoves. It reacts with hemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), which causes a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
In humans, a COHb level of about 10 percent causes headaches, followed by dizziness, nausea and vomiting as the level rises. At 40 percent, a human would go into a coma and collapse. Finally, at 50 to 60 percent, the poisoning would be lethal, according to the WHO.
David's autopsy revealed a 71 percent COHb level in his blood, Kim Bodeau said.
Eau Claire assistant fire chief David Gee said he is called to the scene of a carbon monoxide detector going off at least a couple times per week during the heating season, mostly because of low-level carbon monoxide leaks or faulty detectors.
He said although the government does not yet enforce carbon monoxide detectors in homes, he strongly encourages it.
"Any time there's combustion, that's a possible source of carbon monoxide," he said, adding people should have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of their house, especially near the furnace, gas or motor heater and near the sleeping area. "That's where you're going to be the most vulnerable."
Senior Jessica Remington said it took a good deal of nagging from her mother to get her to install a carbon monoxide detector in her apartment. In mid-November, she came home to the alarm going off - the work of an old oven.
"If you have a UL-listed carbon monoxide alarm, it should function normally up to its end-of-life," Drengenberg said, adding the major carbon monoxide detector manufacturers are UL-listed.
Most retailers would not risk putting a product on the shelf without a UL mark on it, he said.
According to the World Health Organization, carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas, is produced by combustion appliances such as space heaters or gas stoves. It reacts with hemoglobin in the blood to form carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), which causes a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
In humans, a COHb level of about 10 percent causes headaches, followed by dizziness, nausea and vomiting as the level rises. At 40 percent, a human would go into a coma and collapse. Finally, at 50 to 60 percent, the poisoning would be lethal, according to the WHO.
David's autopsy revealed a 71 percent COHb level in his blood, Kim Bodeau said.
Eau Claire assistant fire chief David Gee said he is called to the scene of a carbon monoxide detector going off at least a couple times per week during the heating season, mostly because of low-level carbon monoxide leaks or faulty detectors.
He said although the government does not yet enforce carbon monoxide detectors in homes, he strongly encourages it.
"Any time there's combustion, that's a possible source of carbon monoxide," he said, adding people should have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of their house, especially near the furnace, gas or motor heater and near the sleeping area. "That's where you're going to be the most vulnerable."
Senior Jessica Remington said it took a good deal of nagging from her mother to get her to install a carbon monoxide detector in her apartment. In mid-November, she came home to the alarm going off - the work of an old oven.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
CO Informer
posted 4/08/08 @ 11:07 AM CST
My condolences to the entire Bodeau family. This type of awful events can so easily be avoided by following the instructions in this article. Everyone get the word out!
I am fortunate to work at a company that makes CO alarms, and so I was able to test my home CO detector at work. (Continued…)
Rocco Mastrolonardo
posted 5/02/08 @ 4:45 AM CST
As stated by your earlier contributor, we too would like to extend our condolences to the Bodeau family. Sadly tragic events such as these seem to become all too common. (Continued…)
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