We all like our homes to be as protected as possible as they are our refuge of ease and safety. However small, they are our castles in which we take refuge and joy.

If a crazy armed burglar knocked on our door and requested to be let in.
We would do all that we could to keep him out.

But yet large numbers of people all-around the planet place themselves and their loved ones at risk by inviting a silent killer into their homes.

Thousands die needlessly from it each year as well as tens of 1000’s being harmed annually because of it.

Many children are killed in their sleep for the reason that their mother and father can’t see, hear, smell or taste the killer.

The signs and symptoms of this killer can be non-specific and akin to those of viral cold and influenza infections or food poisoning: headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, wooziness, sore throat as well as a dry cough.

But, unlike flu infection, it doesn’t produce a high temperature.

In children, the warning signs are similar to those of a stomach upset, with queasiness as well as vomiting.

More severe signs and symptoms can result in a quick and uneven heart rate, hyperventilation, confusion, sleepiness in addition to problems breathing. Seizures and loss of consciousness may possibly also arise.

A number of warning signs can take place a few days or even months subsequent to exposure to this killer.

These can include confusion, loss of memory and problems with coordination.

Depending on the scale and length of exposure to it, it can cause:

· Permanent brain damage

· Damage to your heart, perhaps leading to life-threatening cardiac problems years after.

· Death

Carbon Monoxide is the killer and is a colorless, odourless, tasteless gas produced from the imperfect burning of nearly any combustible product.

It enters the blood from the lungs and combines with haemoglobin, blocking the blood’s capability to bear oxygen to body cells.

This leaves the body’s organs and cells starved of oxygen.

People who experience moderate poisoning regularly make a full recovery. Between ten and fifty per cent of those with grave poisoning may experience long-term problems.

A uwclub member says that the common sources of carbon monoxide within the home include faulty central heating systems, gas appliances and fires.

Blocked flues and chimneys mean the gas can’t escape and is breathed in by the unsuspecting, often sleeping, individual.

It can build up indoors as a product of tobacco smoking, poorly ventilated fuel-burning home equipment, and attached garages.

Car exhaust fumes are also a common source of carbon monoxide. A lethal level of carbon monoxide in the blood can happen within 10 minutes inside a closed garage.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is avoidable, consequently it is important to be knowledgeable of potential causes and how to minimise the hazard of exposure by placing these safety ideas into practice:

· Have chimneys and flues checked on a regular basis

· Make certain gas appliances plus heating systems are inspected each year

· Fit carbon monoxide detectors.

· Never run cars, motorbikes or lawnmowers etc within a closed garage or space.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be confirmed by finding high levels in breath or in the blood.

Treatment includes making certain the patient is away from any source of the gas, providing important life support as suitable and giving oxygen before transferring the patient to hospital.

Having no smell, taste or colour, in today’s world of better insulation and double glazing, it has become increasingly important to have good quality ventilation.

Also you need to maintain all appliances on a regular basis and to have completely reliable Detector alarms installed giving both a visual and audible warning immediately there is a build-up of this killer gas to precarious degrees.

Be on your guard and guarded against this silent killer.

There is no point in getting the best gas and electric if you’re dead.

You owe it to your loved ones to fit an alarm.