Just a reminer to check your smoke alarms...

[JCAMERON]

I would like to take this time to remind everybody that needs to, to test your smoke alarms!

I had an experience today that I want to share with everyone - While I was getting ready for school today I noticed that smell you have when you first fire up your heater in the fall - the smell of all of the dust in your ducts burning off. It wasn't a strong smell and for whatever reason I wasn't all that worried about it.

Once I got to class I thought more and more about it and became worried for my family, thinking maybe our house was being pumped full of CO2 or something. I tried calling my wife a few times with no answere. At this point I was pretty alarmed. A short while later my wife calls me telling me she called the fire department because she came home to a smoke filled house. I raced home.

I arrived home to fire trucks in the street and fireman marching in and out of the house. I explained that I was the homeowner and was escorted downstairs to the furnace.

Apparently the high limit failsafe on our funace failed to kick off the gas valve, resulting in a runaway burner. The fire was contained to the insulation around the heat exchange - thankfully.

Now the furnace was roughly 40 years old, so a modern furnace was about due. What really scares me is that the dang smoke alarms didn't go off! I know I know, this is something that I should check periodically. I guess put it off for what ever reason.

Since the incident I installed two new smoke alarms and a CO alarm. I am very thankful that my family is safe. We are very fortunate - it could have been far worse.

[kingfisher1]

Good to know everyone came out just fine.

[22lex]

JC

Good to hear your family is safe. My wife is the stickler and has "made" me update the alarms recently and check the batteries periodically.

[Woody]

I'm so glad no one was hurt!  Very fortunate!  I suffered from CO2 poisoning once, and it was miserable.  Came home, the Mrs. and the baby were gone (oddly) so I went and did my usual routine of a shower and all. Felt quite nauseous and head hurt.  Walking into the kitchen I see the note she left me explaining the co2 detector went off and they went to her moms.  I got out immediately.  Took over a month for the landlord to replace the dern furnace.  Grrrrrr.

  


I always check them now when I change the clocks.  It's a good reminder.

[Mayfly]

Thanks for the post J.

I know what i'm doing tomorrow...

[ChrisWallace]

Im willing to bet you live in Anoka....

[MnDeerStalker]

Happy to hear no one was hurt

[JCAMERON]

Im willing to bet you live in Anoka....

Yes...

[sandmannd]

That's a scary reminder for all. I'm glad no one in your family was hurt. Everything but them could always be replaced, so thank God they weren't hurt.

I use the rule of thumb that I replace the batteries in all alarms during the Daylight Savings. So twice a year, weather they need it or not. When I go through the house I randomly push the buttons and ensure they work.

[ChrisWallace]

Im willing to bet you live in Anoka....

Yes...

Than you seen me and didnt even know it....

[JCAMERON]

What a coincidence. Thanks again for doing what you do!

[ChrisWallace]

Yup, not much there for us to really do.

Curious to know what kind of co detector you got, and if its an led read out make sure the unit is not mounted upside down.

[pheasantman2121]

I can help you guys out.  I do furnace replacements.  If you guys are looking to save a few dollars I am your man.  I can do it cheaper than a company can.  I also can get you guys low level co detectors.  They are spendy but they are well worth it when they save your BUTT.  They are $ 150.00 each.  But they detect co at 1 ppm compared to the ones you buy in the store that usuallyh dont start until around 12ppm. 

[JCAMERON]

I just spent my savings on the new furnace and some CO detectors and what not so I can't really swing 150 right now. I will contact you in the future for some CO detectors. Do you think you would get a lot of nuisance alarms at 1 PPM?

[pheasantman2121]

Surprisilingly they dont give off false alarms being a low level detector.  They are rated #1 highly effective.   

[Mayfly]

Speakingof fires...we just had a fire in our garage this past week. Biggest loss was a Monte Carlo, just bought last fall. I'm headed out to sift through whats left so I can get everything to the insurance co. so I can replace it all. 

[JCAMERON]

Sorry to hear about your loss Tim. Our deductible was just a bit more than what it would have cost for a Haz-Mat clean up crew and new furnace installed etc so we paid out of pocket for it all. I hope all works out for ya.

[Mayfly]

Sorry to hear about your loss Tim. Our deductible was just a bit more than what it would have cost for a Haz-Mat clean up crew and new furnace installed etc so we paid out of pocket for it all. I hope all works out for ya.

The car has been replaced now they are coming to look at the smoke and water damage. I had a ton of deer hunting stuff out there. All ruined....you can't get that smoke smell out!!    Also tons of other stuff. I'd rather just have the stuff back in its good condition rather than money but oh well. At least I get something for it.....

[sandmannd]

Bad news Tim, sorry to hear that. Hard to see stuff like that get ruined. Hopefully none of the hunting stuff had sentimental value to you, can't replace that.