Being safe at home is practically a no-brainer: You lock your doors at night, don’t advertise an upcoming vacation on Facebook or family website, and keep a fire extinguisher at the ready. Still, there are other at-home dangers to be aware of such as fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Thankfully, home security systems, such as those available from ADT, come with sensors that can help keep you and your loved ones safe from these occurrences, whether or not you’re at home.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can’t be detected without a monitor. Fuel-burning sources in poorly-ventilated spaces, such as water heaters, fireplaces, and power tools, can all cause a buildup of this poison. Thousands of people get sick each year because of carbon monoxide leaks that go undetected. The gas is known as a silent killer and claims hundreds of lives annually. Mississippi resident Delores White was nearly one of those people. Had ADT operator Maya Harris not alerted White to the presence of carbon monoxide in her home, the deadly gas – which had invaded 70% of White’s home – would soon have killed her.
Clearly, all homes should have a carbon monoxide detector. Likewise, systems around the home such as furnaces, heaters, gas stoves and dryers should receive routine maintenance to make sure they are in good working order. Early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, fatigue and headache, which can be easily be passed off as the beginning stages of a bad cold. Rather than taking to your bed with what seems like the beginning stages of the flu – which can be dangerous enough by itself for seniors – make sure your home is safe and your family can rest easily at night.
All homes should include one carbon monoxide detector per floor. Most will emit a piercing noise designed to alert or wake persons in the home and get them to safety before toxic levels of the gas are present. Some states, such as California, now require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in new home construction. Owners of older homes should be especially vigilant about installing detectors since they aren’t mandatory but still crucial.
Your commitment to being safe at home need not make you paranoid or fearful for your life. Simply follow a few key steps to ensuring your safety and that of your loved ones, including checking items off this checklist, and you’ll be sure to sleep easily tonight.
