Amazon shoppers call this carbon monoxide monitor 'a must for your home'
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When it comes to keeping your home safe, even the smallest details count. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas that can be difficult to monitor, which is why it's so important to have the right tools on hand to protect your family.
In case you don't already have an alarm in place, or if you're looking to update an existing one, you'll want to add a carbon monoxide monitor to your home. The devices are easy to install, and one top choice is currently on sale at Amazon Canada.
First Alert CO615A Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (also known as CO) is a gas that causes illness and can cause death. The gas is produced when burning common fuels like gasoline, natural gas, oil, propane, wood or wood pellets.
In Canada the risk of CO poisoning is greatest in winter months because most homes are heated by furnaces, wood stoves, water heaters or boilers and other appliances that run on burning fuels.
Since it has no smell, taste or colour, CO has been called a "silent killer." In fact, according to Statistics Canada, between 2000 and 2013 there were 4,990 deaths due to carbon monoxide poisoning in Canada.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
At low levels of exposure, symptoms of CO poisoning include tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath, and impaired motor functions.
At increased levels you can experience dizziness, chest pain, poor vision or difficulty thinking. At very high levels, it can cause convulsions, loss of consciousness, coma and death.
If these symptoms appear, immediately get everyone in the home, including pets, outside to fresh air and call 911 or your local fire department.
How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
Ways to prevent CO poisoning include avoid smoking indoors, keeping the door between your house and the garage closed, not idling vehicles in the garage, and only using gas-powered tools and barbecues outdoors.
Since the gas is odourless and tasteless, a carbon monoxide detector is necessary for monitoring levels of the gas inside your home.
'Gives me some peace of mind'
Amazon shoppers have given the First Alert CO615A Carbon Monoxide Plug-In Alarm a 4.6-star average rating, and have said that it provides "extra peace of mind" regarding safety at home.
Reviewers have also been impressed by the fact that this monitor "topped the Consumer Reports ranking" as the Best Plug-In Carbon Monoxide Detector, adding to its reputation.
"I've bought three of these for the home," shared one reviewer.
'A must for your home'
The backlit digital display provides easy viewing of danger levels, current, and peak CO levels in your home — helping relieve worry about carbon monoxide in your home.
Since it plugs into any standard 120V AC outlet with no additional mounting, the monitor is "easy to install and operate." However, shoppers recommend also installing batteries "for backup in the event of a power outage."
If you haven't yet added a carbon monoxide monitor to your home, this award-winning option is a solid choice.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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