So, our carbon monoxide detector works
Photo credit: Spencer Finnley (no relation)
It’s been a little crazy around here, so this will be brief. Last Tuesday our carbon monoxide detector went off. As far as life lessons go, this was a pretty rich experience:
- When husband says, “Naw, we don’t need to bother the fire department with this,” I should listen to my instincts and stuff him in a closet while I dial.
- It’s no lie, firefighters are really good looking.
- CO levels over 300 are really bad, and if it’s coming from the water heater, “You should not turn this on again, under any circumstances, until it is fixed.” Or so says the fire chief, after emitting a low whistle. Some people do tend toward the drama.
So we went a few days without hot water, but now everything is fixed and fine. Upon hearing this, the household gods took a crap on my laptop, which is now not working. That means I’m typing this in a small brown room on a clunky PC. I think we can all agree that no one should have to live like this. I’m sure the firefighters will be glad to help.
Maybe you can go down to the firehouse and ask to work on their computers.
Love that photo. Makes me want to go ROWWRRRR.
Crazy! I’m so glad you’re not dead but so sorry you’re stuck with a dinosaur of a machine.
OMG. I think I’m going to go out and buy a detector right away. That’s so scary. I only ever worry about fire, but CO kills, so there you have it. I’m getting one or six. As Dragonkat said, glad you’re not dead!
Su-sieee! What a great idea.
Dragonkat, I am also glad not to be dead. And things are looking up for the laptop! I don’t know how much longer we have together, but the husband has patched her up and we are spending quality time responding to comments right now. Cue the Terms of Endearment music. MY LAPTOP IS IN PAIN! GET MY BABY SOME DRUGS.
Kathy, it is creepy to think about, and I’m glad we had the detector. It’s funny because our water heater hadn’t been working right — husband had to manually turn it on from time to time. Now we know that was a safety response. So it wasn’t running continuously or for long, but still, yes you should get a CO detector.
Glad you made it! I think my house must be incredibly drafty because remember when I found out that my chimney wasn’t venting for several years and they made us shut off all gas to the house? None of our CO detectors picked up a thing.
Tracy, thank goodness for a drafty house!
Glad you are well and safe. Sad your laptop is not.
I’ve read too much toxic fume inhalation can adversely affect decision making and, most especially, risk assessment. Maybe that was the problem with your husband that evening?
MrR, Naw, pretty sure he’s just a big dorkwad. He’s cute, though, so I’ll keep him.