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Chaska, MinnesotaDear Teddy Bear Friends: Last night, at 2:30 am, I awoke to a horrible, piercing, beeping. It was so loud, I could not figure out which fire alarm was going off. There was no smoke. So where was the beeping coming from? I figured out it was my carbon monoxide detector. It was beeping and flashing "385 gas detected". I forgot I even had this device. So I dismantled this and reset it. It read "0". I was relieved. Went back to bed but could not go to sleep. It nagged at me that what if there is a gas leak and I don't wake up. So I called the local firehouse to consult with a fireman. Well in short order, they told me to "get out of the house immediately". They sent a fireman over and check the house (now 3:00 am). Luckily there was no leak and all checked out well.
I wanted to bring this up for a reminder that carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer. You can't smell it. So if you have gas lines in your house, you can buy a good carbon monoxide detector for under $30. It is worth it. It may save your life.
Past Time BearsThank goodness it was a false alarm, Michelle! "Better safe than sorry" is a helpful cliche sometimes.
Posts: 3,540
What a smart woman you are to install one of these ~ and to heed the warning!! 
My first thought was that perhaps the battery needed to be replaced, but I love the fact you were able to get hunky firemen to your house by 3am 
Way to go!!! Glad it was only a false alarm, and indeed 'better safe than sorry' with this!
Years ago I hubby was burning something in our fireplace in the middle of the night (little boys and their toys). I was completely asleep until the fire alarm awoke me....and I stumbled out into the hallway and walked my head into a thick layer of smoke! I felt such the idiot. All that training of feeling the door, and staying low since I was a child went completely out the door. It made me realize that when sleepy I made some classic mistakes that could have been a real danger to my life. Since then I've mentally practiced even more.
Dolls N DreamsGreat that it was a false alarm. Yes we have one also, they are more important that people know.
Posts: 1,836Thank you for sharing this Michelle!! If you're house uses gas it's just as important to have these detectors in your house! They are MUST HAVES. Many smoke detectors now come with a carbon monoxide detector....they're 2 in 1 systems.
When we first bought our house I freaked out with the idea of gas...I grew up with all electric. I had like 6 gas detectors installed all over the house 
BUT one went off during our first week in the house...I freaked. It was a false alarm though....it turns out that certain sprays (cleaners) if used near the detector can affect it. It being our first week I was doing a lot of cleaning and I used Lysol in one area and set the gas indicator off. It wasn't even a lot, just a simple spray, but the indicator was going nuts. I felt so silly when the fire department told me that :doh: But better safe then sorry!!!
Glad you're ok and that you have those detectors in your house!
:hug:
~Chrissi
Thank goodness it turned out ok in the end. Makes you think, the small amount of money is worth spending on an alarm I think
pauline
Thanks for the warning...and it reminded me that I have not checked the batteries in my detectors in a while...I'll do it today.
:hug:
Kathy
PottersHouse BearsMy family learned about carbon monoxide detectors the hard way. About 3 years ago my cousin, his wife and both children died from carbon monoxide. Until then, I had never even heard of the detectors. I came home from the funeral and promptly bought detectors.
BruinwerksThanks for the warning...and it reminded me that I have not checked the batteries in my detectors in a while...I'll do it today.
:hug:
Kathy
A good simple idea is to automatically change the batteries every time you have to change your clocks in Spring and Autumn. I would forget if we didn't use this idea!
Cheryl 
Real Deal BearsI have never heard of them, we have smoke detectors, but I have never heard of a carbon monoxide detector before.
Thanks for the warning!!!!!!!!!!
Creative Design Studio (RKR4CDS)I couldbe mistaken & having a Sr moment but I thought the the law was adopted for all States within the past few months, that it was mandatory to have CO detectors and have them installed within X number of feet from all bedroom doors.
Posts: 1,836I could be mistaken & having a Sr moment but I thought the the law was adopted for all States within the past few months, that it was mandatory to have CO detectors and have them installed within X number of feet from all bedroom doors.
I think that they're mandatory in new construction in my state, but I don't think they're mandatory in all residences at this point. I'm a real nightly news junkie and I don't recall seeing anything about it...could be wrong though. Several states have made it an across the board law for new and existing homes, it's a good thing to know if you're selling a home...with inspections and all. I'd have one (several) in the house regardless ...it's a pretty cheap way to safeguard against something you can't see or smell...by the time you feel it you're usually too sick to escape.
And since it's kinda on the same topic....make sure you not only replace batteries, but the detectors too. Smoke detectors have a life of about 10 years tops.
:hug:
~Chrissi
Matilda Huggington-beareI'm so glad it was a false alarm this time. As Millie has warned us it could have been something so much worst.
Here In WA The gas fitters arent allowed to connect gas without putting in two rather large drafty vents next to the appliances. Better safe than sorry.
WienMichelle, cheeses! That would scare the thingies out of me!!
And I´m glad thyt everything´s ok now!
Gaby
