BE ALERT ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE.

• Position: Brief Article

* The dangers of smoke inhalation in case of fire have been well-publicized, and smoke alarms are now relatively common in most homes. A hidden danger, though, has not generated comparable attention, which could lead to lethal consequences. Carbon monoxide (CO), labeled the "silent killer" is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and can leak from water heaters, clothes dryers, furnaces, fireplaces, ovens, and other household systems. Continuous exposure can lead to brain damage, neurological disorders, even death.

Detection of the insidious gas is the key, and a number of (CO) detectors are reaching the market. One of the best is the First Alert Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarm from Sunbeam Corporation, Aurora, Ill., combining both warning devices in a single unit. With a visual indicator for each that is distinctively different and a horn pattern that varies in sound between the two gasses, residents can instantly recognize which threat is triggering it.

Because the device is battery-operated...