Carbon monoxide is a big worry for many homeowners and property owners. Carbon monoxide leaks can be hard to detect, and they can easily lead to severe illness or death.
In a recent headline, carbon monoxide poisoning caused the hospitalization of 3 adults and 2 children in a hotel in Atlanta. While it seems as though there were no fatalities, it could easily have happened.
In this blog, we’ll go further into why you should invest in a working carbon monoxide detector for your business.
The Incident in Atlanta
While most people will think about gas leaks causing carbon monoxide inhalation in the home, it can easily happen to businesses too, as evidenced by the hotel in Atlanta in the news story. It’s very fortunate that only 5 occupants in the hotel were hospitalized – it could very well have been much worse, which would have been a terrible look for the business.
Carbon monoxide can come from many different sources, meaning no business is exempt from the possibility. You can take steps to help avoid becoming the next headline, however.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Knowing the signs can save lives. Carbon monoxide largely affects the heart and brain, and the symptoms can often be mistaken for the flu but without a fever. Prolonged exposure can lead to serious health issues and even death.
Signs include:
· Headaches
· Weakness
· Dizziness
· Shortness of breath
· Nausea or vomiting
· Confusion
· Blurred vision
· Drowsiness
· Loss of muscle control
· Loss of consciousness
More severe symptoms that may show up after exposure include:
· Memory loss
· Personality changes
· Movement problems
If you notice these signs in yourself or others, seek fresh air immediately and call for medical attention.
How a Carbon Monoxide Detector Can Prevent Disaster
Carbon monoxide gas is colourless and odourless. That makes it very difficult to detect. Installing a certified carbon monoxide detector is the key to ensuring you and your building’s occupants are safeguarded against carbon monoxide poisoning. These detectors measure the levels of this gas and make a sound when they detect unsafe levels, allowing you to take quick action. It could save lives!
Carbon monoxide can be emitted by many different sources. Burning fuels, such as gas, wood, propane, or charcoal, create it. Appliances or engines that are not well-ventilated can easily cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. The buildup is even worse is small, tightly enclosed spaces.
The best carbon monoxide detectors are certified by the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC), an independent organization that tests, inspects, and certifies safety products.
Call Guardian Security Solutions in Calgary for Peace of Mind
At Guardian Security Solutions, we follow rigorous ULC standards for all our carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors. We understand that the safety of fellow Calgarians depends on it. A certified carbon monoxide detector allows you to avoid scenarios such as what happened in that hotel in Atlanta, providing you peace of mind and keeping everyone as safe as possible.
Contact us today to learn more about our carbon monoxide detectors and how you can better protect your building.