It's called a "Silent Killer"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Glover
  • 354th Civil Engineer Squadron
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane burn incompletely.

If you reside in base housing your risk is decreased due to steam heat and electric stoves which do not produce carbon monoxide. Your vehicle is the largest CO producing device as you drive in and out of your garage. Off base housing may contain various devices or appliances that produce carbon monoxide, please take the time to become familiar with what is installed in your home.

A person can be poisoned by a small amount of carbon monoxide over a long period of time or by a large amount over a short amount of time. For this reason, many new carbon monoxide detectors will activate once a pre determined amount of carbon monoxide is detected.

If the alarm does go off, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door. Make sure everyone inside the home is accounted for and call for help from a fresh air location. Stay at a safe location until first responders arrive. If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If it still sounds, call the fire department.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be mitigated with some easy steps. Ensure all doors leading from the garage to the interior of the house are closed before driving into or out of the garage. If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. Also remember to never use any sort of open flame grill or burner indoors.

For additional fire safety information, call the Eielson Air Force Base fire prevention section at 377- 1293 or logon to www.nfpa.org.