Local Firefighters Handle Real Carbon Monoxide Issue

An odorless, tasteless gas can sneak up on people during the winter in the confines of homes. Called a silent threat, there are precautions that can and should be taken.

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Monarch Fire Protection District firefighters on pumper/ladder truck No. 2242 responded to a carbon monoxide detector sounding on Saturday at approximately 3 a.m.

"Instead of the 'usual' false alarm, this call turned out to be the real thing. Upon checking, the carbon monoxide readings were 40 ppm," said Monarch Fire Marshall Roger Herin.

"This level of exposure can produce flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, sore eyes and a runny nose. Longer periods, or a richer mixture can become significantly more dangerous."

Herin said firefighters checked the home's heating equipment, and found a down-drafting condition at the flues, which meant the products of combustion from the equipment were coming back into the house.

"It isn't known how long this condition existed, but had it continued it would have built up significantly in a short amount of time, endangering the occupants’ lives," he said.

Herin said this situation could have been disastrous had the occupants not had a working carbon monoxide detector. "Clearly, at 3 a.m., without a carbon monoxide alarm sounding, the occupants would not have awakened from sleep to know there was a problem, and possibly may not have awakened at all," he said.

Herin and other firefighters encourage all residents to get a carbon monoxide detector. "If you have one, please check the battery. If your carbon monoxide detector is five years old or older, please replace it with a new one.  Follow the instructions included with your detector, or call your local fire department for advice," he said.