As we embark upon the new year, one of the best ways you and your loved ones can start out by putting safety first is by checking all carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms around your home. According to the CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission), some of the primary wintertime hazards that lead to fire or carbon monoxide poisoning are portable generators, smoke and CO alarms, charcoal and candles, portable heaters, wet appliances, and gas leaks. To help our readers learn more ways to avoid residential fires and prevent exposure to carbon monoxide, we have compiled some useful tips below.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas that occurs after the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as propane, gasoline, natural gas, and wood. When carbon monoxide enters the bloodstream, it binds to hemoglobin, preventing it from carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues. This leads to carbon monoxide poisoning, which causes symptoms like nausea, headache, shortness of breath, and, in the most severe cases, death.
Because it is colorless and odorless, we often call carbon monoxide the invisible or silent killer. Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to detect carbon monoxide, which is why you should install at least one on each floor of your home as well as inside or outside of every sleeping area. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning that is not associated with fire each year. In addition, more than 100,000 individuals go to an emergency room for their injuries, and 14,000 others are hospitalized.
The good news is that some of the most effective ways to safeguard against carbon monoxide-related dangers are simply by installing working alarms in appropriate places, testing them monthly, and changing their batteries every year (or whenever else it is necessary). However, there are other safety measures and tips to keep in mind, such as the following from the CPSC:
Last year, 3,670 Americans were killed in fires and another 13,350 were injured. To prevent a residential fire from happening, the United States Fire Administration, or USFA, recommends taking the following steps:
If you are inside your home when a fire starts, exit as quickly as possible and then call for help. If you are outside when the fire starts, do not attempt to enter your home. Wait for help to arrive.
In some cases, a defective product like a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm causes injury to a consumer. If you were injured because of a product’s unsafe design, manufacturing defect, or the failure to provide proper warnings and instructions, you may be entitled to damages by filing a products liability claim. Just as manufacturers are legally obligated to manufacture, sell, and distribute safe products, property owners, businesses, and landlords are obligated to provide and maintain working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms inside their facilities and buildings. If you sustained injuries resulting from a business owner or landlord’s negligence, we can help. To learn more about filing a claim, contact a representative online now.
Contact the Philadelphia products liability attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.