Fire Update
Royal Oak Fire Department- Acting Assistant Chief, Rick Wiegand
248-246-3800
For the week: November 27, 2011 – December 3, 2011
5,312 total runs in 2011
5,470 total runs in 2010
TIP OF THE MONTH :
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association,
carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths
in America. Carbon monoxide detectors are available, but you need to understand
how they work and what their limitations are in order to decide whether or not
you need a detector and, if you purchase a detector, how to use it to get the
best protection.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is
an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. Each carbon monoxide molecule is
composed of a single carbon atom bonded to a single oxygen atom. Carbon
monoxide results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, such as wood,
kerosene, gasoline, charcoal, propane, natural gas, and oil.
Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?
Carbon monoxide is present in low levels in the air. In the home, it is formed from incomplete combustion from any flame-fueled (i.e., not electric) device, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, grills, space heaters, vehicles, and water heaters. Furnaces and water heaters may be sources of carbon monoxide, but if they are vented properly the carbon monoxide will escape to the outside. Open flames, such as from ovens and ranges, are the most common source of carbon monoxide. Vehicles are the most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.
How Do Carbon Monoxide Detectors Work?
Carbon monoxide
detectors trigger
an alarm based on an
accumulation of carbon monoxide over time. Detectors may be based on a chemical
reaction causing a color change, an electrochemical reaction that produces
current to trigger an alarm, or a semiconductor sensor that changes its
electrical resistance in the presence of CO. Most carbon monoxide detectors
require a continuous power supply, so if the power cuts off then the alarm
becomes ineffective. Models are available that offer back-up battery power.
Carbon monoxide can harm you if you are exposed to high levels of carbon
monoxide in a short period of time, or to lower levels of carbon monoxide over
a long period of time, so there are different types of detectors depending on
how the level of carbon monoxide is measured.
Why is Carbon Monoxide Dangerous?
When carbon monoxide
is inhaled, it passes from the lungs into the hemoglobin molecules of red blood
cells. Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin at the same site as and
preferentially to oxygen, forming carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin
interferes with the oxygen transport and gas exchange abilities of red blood
cells. The result is that the body becomes oxygen-starved, which can result in
tissue damage and death. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms
similar to those of the flu or a cold, including shortness of breath on mild
exertion, mild headaches, and nausea. Higher levels of poisoning lead to
dizziness, mental confusion, severe headaches, nausea, and fainting on mild
exertion. Ultimately, carbon monoxide poisoning can result in unconsciousness,
permanent brain damage, and death. Carbon monoxide detectors are set to sound
an alarm before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a
healthy adult. Babies, children, pregnant women, people with circulatory or
respiratory ailments, and the elderly are more sensitive to carbon monoxide
than healthy adults.
Where Should I Place a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Because carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air and also because it may be found with warm, rising air, detectors should be placed on a wall about 5 feet above the floor. The detector may be placed on the ceiling. Do not place the detector right next to or over a fireplace or flame-producing appliance. Keep the detector out of the way of pets and children. Each floor needs a separate detector. If you are getting a single carbon monoxide detector, place it near the sleeping area and make certain the alarm is loud enough to wake you up.
What Do I Do if the Alarm Sounds?
Don't ignore the
alarm! It is intended to go off before
you are experiencing symptoms. Silence the alarm, get all members of the
household to fresh air, and ask whether anyone is experiencing any of the
symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone is experiencing symptoms of
carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911. If no one has symptoms, ventilate the
building, identify and remedy the source of the carbon monoxide before
returning inside, and have appliances or chimneys checked by a professional as
soon as possible.
Additional Carbon Monoxide Concerns and Information
Don't automatically assume that you need or don't need a carbon monoxide detector. Also, don't assume that you are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning just because you have a detector installed. Carbon monoxide detectors are intended to protect healthy adults, so take the ages and health of family members into account when assessing the effectiveness of a detector. Also, be aware that the average life span of many carbon monoxide detectors is about 2 years. The 'test' feature on many detectors checks the functioning of the alarm and not the status of the detector. There are detectors that last longer, indicate when they need to be replaced, and have power supply backups -- you need to check to see whether a particular model has the features you require. When deciding whether or not to purchase a carbon monoxide detector, you need to consider not only the number and type of carbon monoxide sources, but also the construction of the building. Newer building may have more airtight construction and may be better insulated, which make it easier for carbon monoxide to accumulate.
Fires: This week: 0 Total for the year: 93
EMS Runs: This week: 68 Total for the year: 3561
Car Fires: This week: 0
Hazardous Conditions: This week: 4 Total for the Year: 343
Other Runs: This week: 26 Total for the year: 1314
Mutual Aid Responses:
Birmingham
Mutual Aid Received This week: 0 This year: 22
Mutual Aid Given This week: 0 This year: 3
Ferndale
Mutual Aid Received This week: 0 This Year: 17
Mutual Aid Given This week: 4 This Year: 44
Madison Hts.
Mutual Aid Received This week: 0 This Year: 22
Mutual Aid Given This week: 0 This Year: 25
Automatic Aid Given This week: 0 This Year: 1
Southfield
Mutual Aid Received This week: 0 This Year: 0
Mutual Aid Given This week: 0 This Year: 1
West Bloomfield
Mutual Aid Received This week: 0 This Year: 0
Mutual Aid Given This week: 0 This Year: 1
Hazel Park
Mutual Given This week: 0 This year: 1