Fire Update
248-246-3800
For the week: December 11, 2011 – December 17, 2011
5492 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
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:
Fires this
week___0__Total for the year__95____
Car Fires:
Car fires
this week____0____
Hazardous Conditions:
Hazardous
Conditions this week__4___Total for the Year__350___
Other Runs:
Other runs
this week___24__Total for the year__1360___
Mutual Aid Responses:
Mutual Aid
Received This week__1___ This year__23_
Mutual Aid
Given This week__0___ This year __3__
Mutual Aid
Received This week__0 This Year__17___
Mutual Aid
Given This week__ 3__ This Year__47___
Madison Hts.
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Mutual Aid
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Automatic
Aid Given This week___0__ This Year____1_____
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