Identify Proper Safety Procedures When Unsafe Levels of CO Or Combustion Gases Are Detected

Program
April 2014 / Good Health Starts at Home
Lesson Guide
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer, and other Combustion Gases
Segment Time / Approximately 1 hour – 1-1/2 hour
Purpose / To provide general knowledge of the dangers of carbon monoxide and other combustion gases found in homes, and provide awareness of detection and routine inspection methods required to keep families safe.
Audience / General consumer audience
Learning Objectives / Participants will accomplish the following:
Knowledge: Describe symptoms and causes of carbon monoxide poisoning and hazards of other combustion gases.
Comprehension: Identify locations where combustion gases and CO are found in the home and important, life-saving methods of detection and inspection.
Application:

Identify locations in the home where carbon monoxide and other combustion gases are likely (garage, fireplace/wood burning stove, gas appliances, space heaters).
Identify where detectors should be located in the home and when routine inspection is needed by professionals.
Identify proper safety procedures when unsafe levels of CO or combustion gases are detected.
Identify resources for more help and information.

Instructor Lesson Materials / Healthy Homes – Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer, and other Combustion Gases Lesson Guide

PowerPoint with speaker notes
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home booklet (especially pp. 23 – 28).
Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment
Publications/Handouts of choice (optional—see below for suggestions)
Name tags/tent cards for each student
Pre/Post Tests and Evaluation form for each student
Sign-in sheet, pens/pencils for participant
Selected materials and supplies for demonstration activities (see below)

Participant Materials /

Carbon Monoxide and other Combustion Gases Pre and Post Test/Evaluation
Pens/pencils/paper
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book
Copy of PowerPoint slides (optional)
Other selected student publications/resource materials (optional)

Equipment /

Laptop
LCD Projector
Speakers for computer (if showing videos)
Extension cord and power strip (plus tape to tape down cords)
Microphone (if you are inviting a guest speaker or have a large group)
White board or flip chart and markers
Internet connection to show videos

Helpful Websites /

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Carbon Monoxide (CO)
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – Carbon Monoxide Information Center
American Lung Association – Carbon Monoxide Indoors
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention
US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Sources of Combustion Products
US Department of Housing and Urban Development - About Carbon Monoxide
Healthy Indoor Air for America’s Homes, Combustion Pollutants

Publications/
Resource Materials (select most appropriate materials for your audience) /

Help Yourself to a Healthy Homefocus on pages and chapter on Carbon Monoxide(pp. 23 – 28) (required)
Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, The Mayo Clinic
The ”Invisible” Killer,US Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention: A Tool Kit,US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Frequently Asked Questions, US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

(for other languages, see: )

Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment (with DVD) (pp. 47 – 52).
How to Be Safe During a Power Outage and Carbon Monoxide and Food Safety During a Power Outage, National Public Health Information Coalition
Carbon Monoxide, E3A: Exploring Energy Efficiency and Alternatives
Healthy Homes Issues, US Department of Housing and Urban Development portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=DOC_12481.pdf
Carbon Monoxide, US Department of Housing and Urban Development portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=OHHLHCflyerCM.pdf
Combustion Products in the Home, University of Wisconsin Extension

Selected videos / Order DVDs in advance, download or provide internet connection for video links.

CO: The Invisible Killer, Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC) (2:18)
CO: The Quiet Killer, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (3:18)
Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment video: (23:45) mms://wms.aces.edu/media/satellite/booth/eng_hh.wmv

Produced by Cornell Cooperative Extension, shows health and safety
inside actual homes with tips to control these hazards. (See selected scenes for different topics). (Carbon Monoxide information at approximately 13:02 – 14:17). (this is a recording of the DVD that accompanies the booklet.
Extended Activity / Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day
(falls on the same day that Daylight Savings time ends each year)
Example:

Suggested Materials and Supplies for Demonstrations and Activities /

Carbon Monoxide Detector(s): If possible, the trainer (speaker) should demonstrate all types of detectors, including non-digital with alarm, digital with alarm, wired with battery backup, battery operated, and portable
Gas sniffer(s) for detecting gas leaks and combustion gases (optional)
An enlarged poster of the diagram on page 2 of this document (or handouts to each participant):

Preparing for this Session / This lesson assumes that an Extension educator will be the speaker for the session. If an alternate speaker or co-speaker is used, be certain they have reviewed the material and are clear that Extension is tasked with presenting non-biased material.
Before the Training:

Several weeks in advance:
Determine appropriate training location and time.
Contact an Extension educator or other guest speaker(s) at least a month in advance (optional)—if using, use Guest SpeakerConfirmation form. For this subject area, consider asking aneducator from your local fire department if an Extension educator is not available.
Send out notices for the training.
Order handouts/reference materials if not making copies.
At least one week before training:
Read the lesson guide and PowerPoint materials carefully and thoroughly. Review speaker notes and add notes if necessary.

Review the Help Yourself to a Healthy Home book and Healthy Homes: Assessing Your Indoor Environment booklet. Watch the DVD for the Assessing booklet and select the scenes applicable to subject areas if you choose to show the DVD.
Review handouts/reference materials and supplemental material carefully. Select handouts that may be useful for your audience.
Make copies of handouts for this session.
Review the optional activities and choose show and tell activity/demonstration tools. Visit a retail store and purchase demonstration supplies as needed or bring examples from home. See Suggested Materials and Supplies for Demonstrations and Activities.
Download any videos on your computer if you don’t have the DVD.

Day before Training:
Assemble snacks/beverages: water, sodas, crackers, fruit, plates, napkins, etc.
Load course materials on computer/thumb drive.
Make sure demonstration detectors have working batteries and test each one to verify they are in good working order.
Day of Training
Arrive at least 45 minutes in advance
Set up computer/LCD projector/check speakers. Tape down cords.
Set out references/publications, course materials. Either place on participants’ tables or place near registration table for students to pick up. Set out registration sign-in list.
Set up demonstration tools on table or have in container for easy access.
Set up whiteboard/large flipchart.

Presenting the Program
Carbon Monoxide and other Combustion Gasses
Important Instructor
Notes /

Remember to use activities, demonstration of materials, and videos for a variety of teaching tools and to not be too dependent on the PowerPoint slides.
Encourage participation and questions by the participants throughout the presentation. Be interactive with your learners.
Provide personal stories when possible. People sometimes remember better when personal stories are shared either by you or by the participants.
Good visuals will provide guided practice for the learning objectives of the lesson. Activities and demonstration materials can reinforce learning.
The adult learner brings a background of learning and experience that contributes to learning. Many will have experienced some of these home hazards in their own homes.
The purpose of this information is to empower people with knowledgeso they willadopt healthy behaviors and to offer practical, low-cost action steps to solve problems.
Emphasize that this topic concerns life-threatening concerns in every home and that immediate application of recommendations from this lesson could save lives.

Training Agenda
Carbon Monoxide and other Combustion Gasses
Segment / Time / Activity / Materials/Notes
Sign-in and Introductions / 10 minutes /

Make sure everyone has signed the sign-in sheet. If participants didn’t sign in upon entering, pass around the sign-in sheet.
Introductions (including yourself) or get-acquainted activity of your choice.
Completion of pre-test by participants

/ Sign-in sheet
Pre-test
Introduction and Objectives / 3 / Review Learning Objectives
Review Publications
Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
HUD Healthy Home website resources:
Explain that today’s topic is part of a larger goal of making your home a Healthy Home / PowerPoint slides 1-4
Publications:Help Yourself to a Healthy Home
What is Carbon Monoxide? What are Combustion Gases? / 3 / Ask participants what they know about combustion gases

What are they?
Where are they found in homes?
What do the gases smell like?

Keep a list on the flip chart of participant responses / Power Point slide 5
Defining Combustion Gases, including Carbon Monoxide / 2 / Discussthe types of combustion gases in homes

Carbon Monoxide (CO)
NitrogenDioxide (NO2)
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
Particulates (soot, smoke)
Others (tobacco smoke)

These gases are often invisible, and cannot be seen or smelled.
Carbon Monoxide is often called the silent killer. / PowerPoint slides 6 - 8
Health Hazards and Dangers of Combustion Gases / 5 / Explain the common health symptoms from exposure to CO and other Combustion Gases, with emphasis on the danger that exposure to high levels of CO can cause death within minutes or hours. / PowerPoint slides 9 - 12
Locations of CO and other Combustion Gases / 15 / Discuss common locations where CO and other combustion gases might be found in a typical home, including;

Appliances
Furnaces and Water Heaters
Garage (Car Exhaust)
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves
Grills and Smokers
Space and Temporary Heaters
Cigarette Smoke
Lawnmowers, Snowblowers
Generators

Discuss that CO and other combustion gases are found in these locations but do not commonly pose a hazard or threat unless these items are unvented, malfunctioning, or in disrepair for items commonly inside of homes. Some items should never be located in homes such as unvented gas appliances, furnaces, or water heaters; grills and smokers; generators; and outdoor items such as lawnmowers and snowblowers (any gasoline powered). / PowerPoint slides 13 –20
Poster/Handout:
An enlarged poster of the diagram on page 2 of this document (or handouts to each participant):
Other Handouts:
Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The ”Invisible” Killer, US Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC)
Checking for Carbon Monoxide and other Combustion Gases / 15 / Discussthe primary methods for checking and detecting for CO and other combustion gases, which are:
Proper installation, location, and maintenance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors in your Home
Yearly inspection of all gas appliances, furnaces, water heaters, stoves, ovens, fireplaces, by a qualified or licensed contractor
Proper procedures for when a carbon monoxide detector (alarm) is sounding
Demonstrate the proper monthly testing of a carbon monoxide detector and how to change the batteries / PowerPoint slides 20 - 32
Demonstrate:
Carbon Monoxide detector(s)
Videos:

CO: The Invisible Killer, Consumer Product Safety Council (CPSC) (2:18) or

CO: The Quiet Killer, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (3:18)
What You can Do between Inspections / 10 / Discuss the monthly and quarterly inspections that a homeowner should complete between yearly inspections. Discuss what warning signs should a homeowner look for between inspections / PowerPoint slides 33 - 37
Publication:
Help Yourself to a Healthy Homefocus on pages and chapter on Carbon Monoxide (pp. 23 – 28)
Review and learn more / 7 / Review the basics of Carbon Monoxide and other Combustion Gases

What are combustion gases?
What are the dangers of CO and combustion gases?
Where are CO and other combustion gases found in a home?
What are the proper methods for finding dangerous levels of CO and combustion gases in a home?

Cite additional sources of information—both federal and state/local resources
Ask for Questions and Comments / PowerPoint slide 38 - 39
Evaluation / 10 / AdministerPosttest/Evaluation. / Pre/PosttestEvaluation form

Lesson developed by Michael Goldschmidt, University of Missouri Extension 2013

Sample news release or radio spot

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer and other Combustion Gases

Everyone deserves a healthy home. However, did you know that some of the most serious health and safety problems may start at home? One of the most deadly health problems in your home may be Carbon Monoxide. Carbon Monoxide is known as the silent killer. This odorless, colorless, tasteless gas claims hundreds of lives a year.

There are steps and resources that can help youkeep your home free of dangerous levels of Carbon Monoxide and other combustion gases. (agency name) is sponsoring a program at (time) on (date) at (location) . This program covers the basics of how to keep your home safe from dangerous gases and fumes. The program will address where to find Carbon Monoxide in your home, how to install and use Carbon Monoxide alarms, and how to routinely inspect your home for problems. Additional helpful resources will be given. For more information or to register for the program call or email (agency name) at (phone number) or (email address) .

Guest Speaker Confirmation Form:

Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer and other Combustion Gases

Speaker:
Today’s Date:
Presentation Date & Time:
Location:
Location Directions:
# Of Expected Participants:
General Audience:
Background: / The carbon monoxide and other combustion gases workshop you are speaking at provides consumers with information on dangerous and deadly gases found in homes. Your experiences with this topic may help people to understand one or more of the following: symptoms of CO poisoning, locations in the home of carbon monoxide and combustion gases, how to detect CO and other gases, the importance of annual inspection of combustion appliances and fireplaces, and what to do if CO is detected.
Thank you language:
Other info: / Please let the workshop coordinator know of any audiovisual equipment or other needs you might have at least 2 business days prior to the presentation.
Carbon Monoxide and other Combustion Gases workshop coordinator contact info:
Thank you for agreeing to share your expertise on Carbon Monoxide
and other Combustion Gases.