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Carbon Monoxide Safety When Traveling

We are living in an amazing time when it comes to travel options. Today we can choose to stay in a motel or hotel chain for business travel, and a boutique high-end resort for our family vacation. We also have the option to forgo the hotel experience altogether, and book a private room at a quaint bed & breakfast.

The rise of online booking apps for private homeowners has even made it possible for travelers to book their own private cabin, condominium, or single family home at their vacation destination. All of these options make it possible to personalize our vacation travel.

Of course, on the flip side, a variety of vacation accommodation options means that you are going to encounter a range of different safety standards. Sure, large corporate hotel properties are required to comply with industry safety standards, but what about that cute bed & breakfast in the 200-year-old Victorian home, or that private sea-side condominium?

The reality is that regardless of where you choose to stay, carbon monoxide safety alarms may be outdated, ineffective, or in many cases, they may not be present at all.

Let’s explore how you can ensure that your family stays safe and healthy no matter where you chose to spend your next vacation.

Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Threat

Carbon monoxide is an insidious and invisible danger. It is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause debilitating, and potentially deadly symptoms within minutes. Many people succumb to carbon monoxide poisoning while they are sleeping, and are unaware of the onset of early warning signs.

What Are The Early Warning Signals Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide exposure can produce a wide variety of unpleasant symptoms, and in the unaware, these early symptoms may easily go undetected until it is too late.

Early symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure may include:

  • Fatigue or lethargy
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath

 

Serious symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:

  • Disorientation and confusion
  • Lack of muscle control or coordination
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Death

The symptoms of carbon monoxide toxicity often progress quickly with continued exposure. Therefore it is absolutely crucial that you and your family move out of the building and into fresh air at the first sign of exposure.

Unfortunately, by the time most people notice the early symptoms, it is already too late. This is especially true if everyone is asleep when the exposure occurs. This is why a working carbon monoxide detector alarm is so important.

 

A Carbon Monoxide Alarm Is A True Lifesaver

One of the most effective steps that you can take to keep yourself and your family safe while traveling is to add a portable carbon monoxide detector to your packing checklist for every vacation. While most facilities are required to install and maintain fire and smoke detection systems, there is often no such requirement for the installation and maintenance of carbon monoxide detection systems.

This means that you have no guarantee that your chosen vacation dwelling has any carbon monoxide detection equipment installed, and if they do there is no way of knowing if they are installed properly, in the optimum locations, and if they have been maintained properly.

Fortunately, you can be proactive about your family’s safety by purchasing affordable 120-volt plug-in type carbon monoxide alarms with battery back up and bringing them along with you on your next vacation.

How To Maximize The Effectiveness Of Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm

A plug-in carbon monoxide alarm can act as a critical early warning system to help ensure that your family is able to get to safety at the first signs of rising carbon monoxide levels within your vacation dwelling. That being said, it is important that you understand the proper way to position and use your carbon monoxide alarm to maximize effectiveness.

For maximum safety, it is best to place a portable carbon monoxide detector in all of the rooms where family members will be sleeping. Carbon monoxide detectors should be positioned in the lower portion of the room, as close to the floor as possible. When installing carbon monoxide alarms, many businesses and homeowners make the mistake of installing them on the ceilings alongside their smoke and fire alarm detection systems. This is a crucial positioning error as carbon monoxide gas tends to stay near the floor, while heat and smoke rise.  Traveling with your own carbon monoxide alarms allows you to ensure that your alarms are placed in the optimal location. Finally, make certain that your carbon monoxide alarm is placed in an area where it will not be obstructed by furniture, bedding, draperies, or any other items that could diminish its ability to detect carbon monoxide gas.

Create A Family Safety Plan

Bringing a carbon monoxide alarm along during your travels will go a long way toward helping to keep your family safe, but it is important to remember that the alarm only serves to alert you to danger. Your family will need to have a plan in place to react quickly and ensure that everyone knows how to get to safety as well.

Take some time to go over what the alarm is for, and make certain that each family member understands what they should do if the alarm sounds. Map out the basic interior and exterior of your vacation dwelling and make sure that every family member understands how to exit the building safely and quickly, and designate a safe space to serve as a family meeting place outside the building or home.

Where To Buy Portable Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Carbon monoxide alarms are readily available for purchase through John Waters, Inc. or your local hardware or home improvement store. Remember to stock up on plenty of extra batteries as well to ensure that your carbon monoxide alarm has all the power it needs to keep your family safe.

Before you head out for your next family vacation or business travel trip, pay a visit to John Water, Inc and pick up a portable carbon monoxide alarm so you can relax and enjoy your vacation knowing that you are safe and protected regardless of where you choose to stay.

Have a safe trip!