Morning alarm prompts carbon monoxide safety reminder

An early morning residential alarm call on Tuesday has prompted Cosumnes Community Service District (CSD) fire officials to send out a word of caution about carbon monoxide.

The Cosumnes Fire Department was dispatched to a home in Galt due to an activated residential alarm. Upon arrival, the fire department found a vacant home with an alarm sounding and no signs of fire.

Once the homeowner returned, access was made to the house to investigate the cause of the alarm. It was determined that the alarm was activated by the carbon monoxide detector in the home, which was monitored by an alarm company. The alarm company alerted the fire department. Crews used gas detectors to determine if there was a leak. The investigation revealed elevated levels of CO and immediately began ventilation of the home.

The homeowner stated that recent work had been performed on the gas water heater due to a pilot light issue. Gas was shut off to the residence until the gas company could confirm the actual cause of the elevated carbon monoxide levels.

In this case, the homeowner was fortunate to be out of the house at the time of the incident and to have a working and monitored carbon monoxide detector in the home.

With weather changes, home heating becomes a priority, often with gas appliances. During the winter months, doors and windows are often closed, limiting fresh air ventilation. Be sure to have working carbon monoxide alarms installed in your home where you have gas-powered appliances, such as water heaters, furnaces and stoves.

Here are some other tips for CO alarms:

CO alarms should be installed outside each sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. It is best to use interconnected alarms. When one sounds, all CO alarms in the home sound.

Follow the instructions on the package to properly install the CO alarm.

Test CO alarms at least once a month.

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Morning alarm prompts carbon monoxide safety reminder