A carbon monoxide detector is crucial for homes because the gas is odorless, tasteless, and invisible and can build up to dangerous levels from burning fuels if appliances aren’t vented properly.
Samantha Griffin, a social worker from Indiana, experienced this firsthand when the dog she adopted nine months ago saved her life from carbon monoxide poisoning in late June.
After moving into a new apartment with her niece and rescue dog, their smoke and carbon monoxide detector continued intermittently.
“My fire alarm kept going off and we assumed that it was a battery [issue] because as soon as we unplugged it, it would stop,” Samantha told Good Morning America.
Initially, she believed it was a power problem. However, Luna’s odd behavior and Samantha’s subsequent headache made them realize something was wrong.
On June 24, Samantha was home alone with Luna, whom she adopted from Speedway Animal Rescue.
She developed a severe migraine and tried to rest. Samantha noted that while migraines were normal for her, Luna’s behavior of not letting her sleep during such a bad migraine was unusual.
Samantha noticed that Luna, her two-year-old Siberian husky, began behaving unusually.
Instead of her usual habits of sleeping on the couch or playfully causing a bit of chaos in the apartment, Luna started behaving disruptively and wouldn’t settle down.
“All day long, she was bugging me to go outside. And normally she don’t do that,” Samantha said.
“She started pouncing on me – I think I still have bruises from where she’s hit me – and she scratched up my door and stuff like that, trying to get out so, she was alerting us way before the alarm even went off,” she added.
She said Luna started jumping on her, leaving bruises, and scratched the door, trying to get out. Luna was alerting them long before the alarm went off.
Samantha took Luna outside and called the building’s maintenance staff, who contacted the fire department.
First responders were surprised to find a serious carbon monoxide leak in her apartment. They told Samantha that Luna had saved her life.
A gas company worker later found the carbon monoxide level was 97 parts per million, noting that levels above 50 parts per million for over half an hour can be fatal, and expressed amazement that she had survived.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that exposure to 1,000 to 1,200 parts per million (ppm) of carbon monoxide for one hour can cause uncomfortable symptoms but is not dangerous. In contrast, 1,500 to 2,000 ppm levels can be harmful after an hour.
Samantha later found out that a bird’s nest was blocking the flue of her building’s gas water heater, which caused the carbon monoxide leak; the heater was replaced afterward.
Carbon monoxide poisoning affects over 100,000 people and leads to more than 400 deaths in the U.S. each year.
Symptoms include dizziness, headaches, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, weakness, and flu-like signs.
Samantha said that she and Luna are doing better now. Luna, who had stopped eating, is back to her playful self.
She expressed her gratitude, stating that Luna saved her life that day and that she doesn’t know where she would be without her, adding that Luna amazes her every day.
Samantha shared Luna’s story to encourage others to rescue animals, stating that dogs can be amazing family members, not just pets.
She also reminded people to install and check their carbon monoxide detectors at home.
“Don’t ignore your [carbon monoxide] alert,” Griffin said. “Make sure you have one and make sure you don’t ignore it.”
The fire marshal recommends checking gas appliances, like stoves and water heaters, at least once a year.
Tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
- Install carbon monoxide detectors: Place them near sleeping areas on each floor and check the batteries at least twice a year.
- Trust the alarm: If it sounds, leave the house and call 911. Detectors are also available for motor homes and boats.
- Use appliances properly: Use gas appliances as intended, and never use a gas stove or oven for heat. Keep fuel-burning heaters supervised and well-ventilated.
- Car safety: Always open the garage door before starting your car, and never leave it running in the garage.
- Ensure ventilation: Maintain space around gas appliances and ensure proper airflow.
- Professional help: Have qualified technicians install and service gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances yearly.
- Clear vents: Ensure vents and chimneys are not blocked during remodeling.
- Maintain fireplaces: Clean the chimney and flue annually.
- Fix any issues: If carbon monoxide poisoning occurs, locate and repair the source before re-entering the home.
Meanwhile, the CDC also suggests replacing the carbon monoxide detector every five years.
Watch Samantha and Luna’s story below:
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