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dendritejungleAn embarrassing tale and some good advice on carbon monoxide detectors from the big boys themselves. Learn from my pain, people.
Last Monday early morning my carbon monoxide detector went off. Twice. In two different rooms when I had moved it. (Did I mention it was early? Like, 3:30 AM and then 7:30 AM? I was so tired, and the thing had never gone off, so the first time it took me a minute to figure out what the hell the racket was.)
Not wanting to raise a fuss (I mean really, the odds were so good that the damn thing was just malfunctioning, right? I live in a condo - what the hell is going to produce carbon monoxide up here?), I just opened my window (cuz, also, not wanting to die!), checked with the building concierge, called 211 to find out the phone number for NON-essential fire services, and waited an hour until 8:30 AM when they opened. When I told them that the detector had gone off, and was there some way to get a reading to see if there really was a problem, they transferred me to someone who told me that "they would be there shortly."
About two minutes later, I heard fire engine sirens. *facepalms*
My heart sank. I prayed they weren't coming for me and my stupid detector, but about two minutes and a sharp knock on my door after that I had three firemen standing in my living room.
Which was kind of cool,* but mostly really, really embarrassing. I'd called NON-essential fire services precisely to avoid dragging the poor guys out there. They got no reading (although apparently that wasn't surprising since I'd had the window open), and there were some serious raised eyebrows when they realized my detector was 6 years old.
*they had these adorable mini oxygen tanks on their backs, and I'd never realized before that on the assflap of their jackets they have their names emblazoned in reflective tape. Just FYI.
Which leads us to the Public Service Announcement portion of today's post: carbon monoxide detectors need to be replaced whenever their warranty runs out. Which is apparently every couple of years (although it depends on the brand - turns out mine was 5 years, so it wasn't too out of date). Also, if you think you may have carbon monoxide buildup? It's best to keep the windows shut so they can successfully detect if there is a problem. And, of course, since there may be a buildup, to leave the premises. And hey, you might as well call 911 from the get-go, because apparently that's going to be who they send despite your best intentions.
So anyway. They all tromped out about three minutes later, and that was that. Not really the most auspicious start of the week.
Oh! I almost forgot my favourite part, though: my chainsaw helmet.
The firemen were all serious, until one of them noticed the chainsaw helmet I have perched in my living room. (For those who haven't seen one, it's a hard hat with ear and face protection.) "Hey!" the guy said brightly," You cut trees!"
"Um, no. Actually it's my dad's," I muttered. My big chance to bond with a fireman, and I wuss out. It's the truth, yes, but really, how much more interesting would it have been to say, "No, actually, I don't cut trees. I climb them. The helmet is just for practicing stunt cracks with my new whip. Some of the cracks can be pretty dangerous." And then in my crack-addled mind I add, "WANNA SEE?"
(And for those I haven't yet told the story to, it tickles me beyond words that my mom's reaction when I asked if I could borrow the helmet and told her why, was to immediately ask, "So, what, you're going to be a dominatrix?" Firstly, that her brain went there first cracks me the hell up, and secondly, her tone: not shock, not horror, but amusement. I love my mom.)
Anyway, my life marched on as usual: gaming on Monday night, dinner with the parents who were in town on Tuesday, a really neat seminar about traditional Japanese conservation pastes and materials on Wednesday evening (yes, it WAS neat, dammit!), an enjoyable get-together on Thursday evening with a friend for an Ugly Betty vs. Supernatural face-off...aaand then spent yesterday surfing. And today we have a youth group dessert potluck, to be followed late this evening by a new BSG episode. Whee!
And for those who care, the latest in my Supernatural slide: rubber bands and flailing. At work.
Last Monday early morning my carbon monoxide detector went off. Twice. In two different rooms when I had moved it. (Did I mention it was early? Like, 3:30 AM and then 7:30 AM? I was so tired, and the thing had never gone off, so the first time it took me a minute to figure out what the hell the racket was.)
Not wanting to raise a fuss (I mean really, the odds were so good that the damn thing was just malfunctioning, right? I live in a condo - what the hell is going to produce carbon monoxide up here?), I just opened my window (cuz, also, not wanting to die!), checked with the building concierge, called 211 to find out the phone number for NON-essential fire services, and waited an hour until 8:30 AM when they opened. When I told them that the detector had gone off, and was there some way to get a reading to see if there really was a problem, they transferred me to someone who told me that "they would be there shortly."
About two minutes later, I heard fire engine sirens. *facepalms*
My heart sank. I prayed they weren't coming for me and my stupid detector, but about two minutes and a sharp knock on my door after that I had three firemen standing in my living room.
Which was kind of cool,* but mostly really, really embarrassing. I'd called NON-essential fire services precisely to avoid dragging the poor guys out there. They got no reading (although apparently that wasn't surprising since I'd had the window open), and there were some serious raised eyebrows when they realized my detector was 6 years old.
*they had these adorable mini oxygen tanks on their backs, and I'd never realized before that on the assflap of their jackets they have their names emblazoned in reflective tape. Just FYI.
Which leads us to the Public Service Announcement portion of today's post: carbon monoxide detectors need to be replaced whenever their warranty runs out. Which is apparently every couple of years (although it depends on the brand - turns out mine was 5 years, so it wasn't too out of date). Also, if you think you may have carbon monoxide buildup? It's best to keep the windows shut so they can successfully detect if there is a problem. And, of course, since there may be a buildup, to leave the premises. And hey, you might as well call 911 from the get-go, because apparently that's going to be who they send despite your best intentions.
So anyway. They all tromped out about three minutes later, and that was that. Not really the most auspicious start of the week.
Oh! I almost forgot my favourite part, though: my chainsaw helmet.
The firemen were all serious, until one of them noticed the chainsaw helmet I have perched in my living room. (For those who haven't seen one, it's a hard hat with ear and face protection.) "Hey!" the guy said brightly," You cut trees!"
"Um, no. Actually it's my dad's," I muttered. My big chance to bond with a fireman, and I wuss out. It's the truth, yes, but really, how much more interesting would it have been to say, "No, actually, I don't cut trees. I climb them. The helmet is just for practicing stunt cracks with my new whip. Some of the cracks can be pretty dangerous." And then in my crack-addled mind I add, "WANNA SEE?"
(And for those I haven't yet told the story to, it tickles me beyond words that my mom's reaction when I asked if I could borrow the helmet and told her why, was to immediately ask, "So, what, you're going to be a dominatrix?" Firstly, that her brain went there first cracks me the hell up, and secondly, her tone: not shock, not horror, but amusement. I love my mom.)
Anyway, my life marched on as usual: gaming on Monday night, dinner with the parents who were in town on Tuesday, a really neat seminar about traditional Japanese conservation pastes and materials on Wednesday evening (yes, it WAS neat, dammit!), an enjoyable get-together on Thursday evening with a friend for an Ugly Betty vs. Supernatural face-off...aaand then spent yesterday surfing. And today we have a youth group dessert potluck, to be followed late this evening by a new BSG episode. Whee!
And for those who care, the latest in my Supernatural slide: rubber bands and flailing. At work.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-25 09:35 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-25 11:40 pm (UTC)The only direction I've been able to figure out that will physically FIT in my condo is a horizontal crack flat out over the coffee table towards the couch, with my back against the TV bookcase. The cat, needless to say, goes in the solarium or bedroom. :) I figure I'll worry about finding the space to do other cracks AFTER I master this one.
Which could be a while.
(no subject)
Date: 2007-02-27 05:11 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-03-01 07:41 am (UTC)My latest favourite word is sporfle (http://www.langmaker.com/db/Sporfle). I've had occasion to use it a lot lately...