Carbon monoxide is one of the most deadly gases when presented in high concentrations. Unfortunately, it is also colorless and odorless, and without the proper alarm system installed you may not realize a danger in your home until it’s too late.

Any home which utilizes gas appliances or a gas furnace is at risk of carbon monoxide leaks. Even if you do not use gas for these comforts, your connection may still present a problem and health risk.

To thwart any threat of endangering your family’s health, installing a carbon monoxide alarm will warn you of any possible leaks in your home. Practicing a little awareness will also reduce your risk and help you to identify any carbon monoxide-related illness.

Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide may affect your family’s health over time with a slow leak, or symptoms may present rather suddenly in the case of a major problem. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include headaches, dizziness or nausea. If everyone in the household is experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention right away.

Your local hardware store will carry stand- alone carbon monoxide alarms or dual carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. However, a home security system should have the option of adding detection of this poisonous gas to your package and service.

In the case of an alarm warning you of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, you should evacuate the home immediately and seek alternate shelter. Gather only the belongings you absolutely must have, and take your pets with you as well.

Do not attempt to “air out” your home or locate the problem yourself. You should leave immediately and contact your gas provider to turn off the supply to the home.

Aside from installing a carbon monoxide alarm, there are some preventive steps you can take in avoiding a leak in the first place. If you recently switched to an electric furnace and appliances, you must contact your local gas company and inform them that your gas supply needs to be shut off.

Ask the company to come to your home to detect any problem areas. They typically do this on an annual or biannual basis anyway, but after shutting off the supply you should ensure there are no glaring problems.

The same precautions should be taken after turning on new gas service as well. Starting or stopping any gas service is the most important time to try to catch any leaks as early as possible.

When choosing a carbon monoxide alarm, be sure that the entire home is monitored. Just as with a smoke alarm, each room needs to be protected to catch any leak as soon as it happens.

With the use of an installed home security system, your entire home will be monitored and protected from break-ins, fire and carbon monoxide. Sensors are place throughout the home and programmed to communicate with one another. This technology allows you to be warned no matter where you are located in relation to the excess carbon monoxide levels.