Carbon Monoxide Protection With Your Home Security System

Many people hear the words "carbon monoxide" and tune out, thinking that it couldn't possibly be a problem in their house. The problem is, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a very real danger in any home and proper monitoring equipment should be installed to keep you safe.

What's the Big Deal about CO?

Carbon monoxide poisoning is responsible for more deaths than any other chemical or gas in homes. You may be feeling the effects of CO poisoning and not know it and instead just think you have the flu or a cold. Even if it exists at low levels, it can cause serious health problems. If you are concerned that CO poisoning has happened, a blood test at a medical facility can determine quickly if CO poisoning has occurred and treatment can begin immediately.

Carbon monoxide accumulates as a byproduct of improperly vented fossil fuel combustion. An improperly vented oil, gas, or propane furnace can back up fumes into the house, causing health problems for the inhabitants.

Monitoring is the First Defence 

Because of the ever-present danger of CO poisoning, you should have CO detectors on each floor when your alarm system is installed. Reliance Protectron installers will ensure that each detector is placed in the most optimal spot, and if you install it in conjunction with your home security system you will receive alerts from our trained staff from our monitoring centres even if your system is not armed so that you can immediately take care of the situation. Hooking your carbon monoxide detectors into your home security system is the best way to protect your family from CO. It saves lives.

Carbon monoxide levels build very quickly and a monitoring device is the only way to tell 24/7 if it has penetrated your home's defences. It is tasteless, colourless and odourless.

Have Appliances Cleaned and Inspected Regularly

Have a technician from your heating company or furnace supplier clean and test your ventilation systems annually to ensure that chimneys aren't blocked and the appliances are properly hooked up to ventilation.

Don't Use Appliances Improperly and Get Fresh Air

Don't heat homes with ovens, limit or eliminate the use of fondue sets, and make sure you are using things like outdoor propane heaters outdoors. Don't operate portable barbeques indoors, or anything else that would give off combustion gasses from fossil fuels.

If you store a car in the garage, make sure the garage is well-ventilated to the outside and crack a window if you are hanging out or doing work in your garage. Never idle your car in the garage, even in the winter to warm it up. Back it out of the garage before you let it idle every time. Your garage is attached to your home, so this activity alone can raise CO levels dangerously.

Make sure your household ventilation system is serviced and working properly regularly, particularly before it gets cold.

For more tips on what to do and not do in your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, see this tip sheet from the CMHC.

Contact us today for a customized quote on carbon monoxide monitoring devices and how one of our Reliance Protectron authorized dealers can install them professionally.