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Carbon Monoxcide ( CO ) is a colorless, odorless, tastless deadly gas. Because you can't see, taste or smell it, it can KILL you before you know it's there. Today more energy-efficient airtight home designs contribute to the problems by trapping CO polluted air inside the home.

The great danger of carbon monoxcide is it's attraction to hemoglobin in the blood stream, CO is breathed in through the lungs and bonds to the hemoglobin in your blood diplacing the oxygen while which cells require to function. When carbon monoxcide is present in the air it rapidly accumulatesin the blood. It will eventually displace enough oxygen in your system to suffocate you from the insde out, resulting in brain damage or death.

A common by-product of appliances that run on flammable fuel,carbon monoxcide can be emitted by coal, gas or oil furnaces, propane refrigerators or gas clothes dryers, water heaters, fire places, wood stoves, charcoal grills and space heaters. A clogged chimney or running a vehicle in an attached garge can cause problems as well.

Carbon Monoxcide poisoning can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Experts have determined that unborn babies, infants, senior citizens and people with cardiac or resperatory problems are particularly suspectable to carbon monoxcide poisoning; However, everyone can be at risk.

Since carbon monoxcide is produced by burning fuel it is essential that all sources of combustion in your home be in good working order. Gas, oil furnaces or coal stoves, refrigerators, clothes dryers, water heaters, wood stoves, gas barbecues, ranges and space heaters should be thoroughly inspected each year by a qualied professional. Have your chimney and fireplace flue cleaned and checked annually as well. Never leave a vehicle running in an attached garage or operate gasoline powered machinery in an enclosed place.

Carbon Monoxcide is often called the "THE GREAT IMITATOR" because it's symptoms are simulor to other common illnesses such as flu. Symptoms of low carbon monoxcide poisoning can enclude dizziness, headache, fategue, nausea. If you or any member of your family suffer from these symptoms of carbon monoxcide poisoning while at home get out and call the fire department and seak medical attention at once.

If your detector ( ALARM ) sounds, check to see if anyone in your home is experiencing the adverse effects of carbon monoxcide poisoning, such as headache, dizziness nausea, any flu like symptoms... If anyone in the house has any of the symptoms call your fire department and evacuate the home immediatly. If your detector continues to activate and there is no one ill in your home, still take it as a carbon monoxcide leak, leave your home and contact the fire department immedialy, the fire dertment will be more then happy to check your home for CO levels, it's better to be safe then sorry.

WHERE DO I PUT MY CARBON MONOXCIDE DETECTOR ???
Near your sleeping area.... One detector is recommended to at least one house hold, but a second detector near the homes heating sourse adds an increased measure of safety.

REMEMBER ........ Install at least on carbon monoxcide detector in your home. In the event of a CO leak , a detector could provide you with a crucial early warning!

The Friendship Fire Engine and Hose Company along with the Shamokin Fire Bureau wishes to remind you that most fatal fires take place at night while you and your family are asleep.  When seconds can make a difference between life and death, you can double your chances of surviving a fire by having one or more smoke alarms in your home. Smoke alarms are inexpensive and easy to install. If you have any problem installing a smoke detector contact you local fire station, I'm sure someone would be able to assist you.