In the Home Information and news releases furnished by the members of PR Newswire, who are responsible for their fact and content. Carbon monoxide even in small amounts works to restrict oxygen in the bloodstream thus starving a child's tissues and organs of what is needed to function and develop properly. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 1994 nearly 1,900 children under the age of 6 were reported to have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is a natural by-product of combustion, present whenever fuel is burned.
Common sources in the home include gas or oil furnaces or hot water heaters, gas clothes dryers, gas ovens and ranges, fireplaces, space heaters, barbecue grills operating in enclosed areas and cars left running in attached garages. Young children are also vulnerable to misdiagnosis because they cannot fully explain the onset, progression and severity of their symptoms. Additionally, because children spend most of their time in the home, they are more likely to be exposed to carbon monoxide produced by gas, oil, wood or propane burning appliances and heating systems. Families with children, pregnant women, elderly people or anyone with heart or lung disorders may want the added protection of the First Alert biosensor technology. The elderly and people with heart or lung disorders are at greater risk of injury or death from carbon monoxide because CO can aggravate a pre-existing condition of restricted oxygen flow in the bloodstream.