Identifying the Silent Killer:: Kidde Carbon Monoxide Detector Giveaway {4 Winners}

Carbon Monoxide is odorless, colorless, toxic gas. Because we're not able to easily identify it, it can kill you before you even know it's in your home. At low levels, its symptoms resemble that of the flu.

Dubbed the silent killer, Carbon Monoxide kills 500 people and sends 20,000 more to the hospital each year.

Common Sources of Carbon Monoxide

• Car left running in garage
• Clogged chimney
• Gas or wood-burning fireplace
• Improperly installed kitchen range or vent
• Portable Kerosene or gas heaters

CO is produced and emitted by incomplete burning of fuel, such as propane, kerosene, gasoline, oil, natural gas, wood and charcoal; and because it is odorless and colorless, people can be exposed to CO without even knowing it. However, CO poisoning is avoidable and preventable if the necessary safety measures are taken.

UL recommends a three-part strategy that families can easily use to protect themselves and their loved ones from the poisonous gas: INSPECT, PROTECT and DETECT. They have an extensive list of safety tips we can follow to protect our loved ones from the silent killer. Some tips are:

• Have a qualified technician INSPECT fuel-burning appliances once a year 
• PROTECT your home by purchasing and installing a CO alarm
• Be prepared should your CO alarm DETECT a problem

Know the signs of CO poisoning  CO poisoning may be the cause of flu-like symptoms such as headaches, tightness of chest, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and breathing difficulties. Because CO poisoning often causes a victim’s blood pressure to rise, the victim’s skin may take on a pink or red cast.

Only 50% of Americans have CO alarms in their home. And, 61% of Americans cannot identify any signs of CO poisoning risks in their home.  Commissioned by Underwriters Laboratories – a 115-year-old product safety organization, the survey overall finds that Americans might be over confident in their ability to protect themselves and their family from CO poisoning. Additional results of the study include:

• 60% of Americans are confident they can prevent CO poisoning, but approximately two-thirds don’t know which common household items like hot water heaters  (70%), charcoal grills (56%), and portable generators (54%), and can potentially emit CO
• 80% of consumers can’t identify that rusting on flue pipes – one of the most telling signs – is in fact a risk of CO poisoning in the home
• More people said they can name two “American Idol” judges (56%) than two items in the home that emit CO (45%)
• 62% of Americans don’t know that the flu – including the H1N1 – is the most comparable to the symptoms of CO poisoning

Kidde has been making Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms with electrochemical sensing technology for years. All of Kidde’s CO alarm products – from basic units to premium CO alarms – include the company’s patented Nighthawk™ electrochemical CO sensor. Kidde battery-powered alarms are easy to install, and keep working even if there is a power outage. Alarm comes with a 5 year limited warranty. The Kidde CO detector provides 7 years of continuous operation. It will automatically alert you when its time to replace.

Where to Buy: Kidde Basic Carbon Monoxide alarm with Electrochemical Sensor can be purchased online at Amazon.com for around $24. You can also check Lowe's, Home Depot, Target, and Walmart for availability.

GIVEAWAY

To help spread the word about how UL is helping keep families safe from dangerous CO poisoning in their home, we're giving away 4 Kidde alarms. Here's how you can enter to win.  (Required Entry must be completed before any additional entries can be made.)

Required Entry: Visit UL.com and tell me something you've learned from their advice on Carbon Monoxide.

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This giveaway is open to all US residents and will end February 20. The items featured were provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of this review. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.