Ellensburg, WA – A carbon monoxide alarm likely saved the lives of two Ellensburg residents on Wednesday when a defective water heater released high levels of the poison gas into the home.
Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue responded to a carbon monoxide alarm call around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday at a home on the 700 block of East Third Street, and found the levels were extremely high.
The gas was coming from a defective water heater in the basement, and KVFR had the gas department turn it off immediately. Firefighters brought in fans to clear the gas and got the levels down to a safe range.
The two people who lived in the home called in the problem, and both were able to get out of the house before the odorless, poison gas became lethal.
“It could have been lethal within an hour,” said KVFR Capt. Joe Seemiller, the department’s fire marshal.
The gas more readily bonds to red blood cells than oxygen, Seemiller said, preventing oxygen from getting to the body. Prolonged exposure, even to low levels or small amounts over long periods of time, can be dangerous. High levels of inhalation can lead to unconsciousness and death.
If a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, Seemiller said people should immediately exit the home or building and call the fire department. Though carbon monoxide alarm manuals instruct people to air out the building, it’s best to go outside and leave the building sealed up so firefighters can track down the cause of the problem, he said. After the problem is found it can be fixed and then the building can be aired out.
Most carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced after five years, Seemiller said.
“If you have a 10-year-old detector get a new one,” he said. “Your life is worth $20.”