Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Carbon Monoxide

What is carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or “CO,” is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gas, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels.

Since CO has no odor, color or taste, it cannot be detected by our senses. This means that dangerous concentrations of the gas can build up indoors and humans have no way to detect the problem until they become ill. Furthermore, when people become sick the symptoms are similar to the flu, which can cause victims to ignore the early signs of CO poisoning. The Center for Disease Control estimates that approximately 500 people die from unintentional CO exposure in the United States every year. In addition, the CDC also estimates that 8,000 to 15,000 people each year are examined or treated in hospitals for non-fire related CO poisoning. The good news is that carbon monoxide poisoning can be prevented with simple actions such installing a CO alarm and maintaining fuel burning appliances.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:

  • Dull headache
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Confusion
  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of consciousness

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be especially dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. People may have irreversible brain damage or even be killed before anyone realizes there’s a problem.

Carbon Monoxide Sources in the Home

In simple terms, CO is produced whenever a material burns. Homes with fuel-burning appliances or attached garages are more likely to have CO problems Common sources of CO in our homes include fuel-burning appliances and devices such as:

  • Furnaces or boilers
  • Gas stoves and ovens
  • Fireplaces, both gas and wood burning
  • Gas Water heaters
  • Gas Clothes dryers
  • Wood stoves
  • Motor vehicles
  • Power tools and lawn equipment
  • Grills (a charcoal grill used in an enclosed space can easily become a deadly source of CO)

Items such as camp stoves, charcoal grills, fuel-burning lanterns and generators should never be used inside a tent, RV or home.

What is a Carbon Monoxide detector?

A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas and is designed to alert you to possible carbon monoxide poisoning.  They may be similar in size and shape to a smoke alarm.

Where should I place a carbon monoxide detector?

Per the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), carbon monoxide detectors should be installed in a few different locations:

  • Outside the doors of sleeping areas
  • On each level of your home
  • Anywhere else required by local laws

CO alarms do not last forever. The detecting components will lose their effectiveness after 5 to 7 years and may no longer detect carbon monoxide.

Remember, even though most CO poisonings occur during the winter, CO poisoning is possible all year.  Test your CO detector monthly, and change the battery (if so equipped) when you change your smoke alarm batteries.

Not sure about your CO detector?  Our firefighters will come to your home and do a courtesy inspection.  Simply call the station at 252-441-6234 to schedule a visit.

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Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Colington Volunteer Fire Department

The Mission of the Colington Volunteer Fire Department is to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to the Colington community through the efficient delivery of fire protection, basic medical and life safety services.

Colington Volunteer Fire Department
6 days ago
Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Why is our Ocean Rescue Supervisor standing in a large hole with a frustrated look on his face, you may ask?

👉Because someone decided to dig a massive hole on our beach and leave it unattended. 🤦‍♀️

I guess we need to say it a little louder for the people in the back, 📢 𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗦!!! ⚠️❗️
⬇️
Why are they dangerous? We're glad you asked:

🦈Did you know that national statistics comparing sand hole collapses to shark attacks confirms that 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸. (𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰.)

🧑‍⚕️No one goes to the beach thinking that they will leave with a broken ankle or worse. Unattended holes can cause numerous injuries to other beach-goers.

🚑 Holes make it challenging for first responders to quickly get to an emergency on the beach. They can also cause damage to their vehicles.

🐢 Who doesn’t love cute little sea turtles?! Holes on the beach can trap hatchlings and/or their mother and cause fatal results.

⚠️⚠️⚠️
Digging holes in the sand can be a serious hazard. If you want to dig a hole on the beach, ONLY dig shallow holes and ALWAYS fill them in once you're finished. Help keep everyone on our beaches safe.
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tomsriver.org/teen-killed-and-another-was-injured-when-a-hole-collapsed-on-toms-river-beach/

Colington Volunteer Fire Department
1 week ago
Colington Volunteer Fire Department

You are not forgotten, Sergeant Earl Murray.Dare County Sheriff's Office
Public Service Announcement
May 15, 2022

We remember Nags Head Police Department Sgt. Earl Murray who lost his life on this day, 2009, while on duty.
Thank you for your service and to all that serve and have served honorably.
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You are not forgotten, Sergeant Earl Murray.
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Colington Volunteer Fire Department
2 weeks ago
Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Happy Birthday to another of our great volunteer firefighters, that also started a Cadet. James Phillips, we hope you have an awesome day! ... See MoreSee Less

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James have a wonderful birthday brother.

Happy Birthday James

Happy birthday James!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday

Thank you all

Happy Birthday James. Have a great day

Happy Birthday James Phillips!

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2022 Monthly Calls

MonthEMSFire
Jan4515
Feb3810
Mar3517
Apr4014
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total

2021 Monthly Calls

MonthEMSFire
Jan4415
Feb487
Mar4711
Apr6326
May3812
Jun4828
Jul4224
Aug4621
Sep4512
Oct5112
Nov5114
Dec4810
Total571192

Contact Information

Colington Volunteer Fire Department
108 Schoolhouse Rd
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

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Phone

Emergency: 911
Phone: 252.441.6234

Weather Forecast

Kill Devil Hills, NC
68°
partly cloudy
77% humidity
wind: 17mph NE
H 72 • L 63
65°
Tue
67°
Wed
71°
Thu
75°
Fri

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