The chirpping and the hot firemen

Tonight I was so cold, but it's Nebraska, it's always cold. I asked my daughter to turn the furnace up, I still can't get warm (this will be important later).

Anyway, as I sat at my computer playing on line poker, I complained to the other players that my smoke detector kept chirpping at me, I need to replace the battery I am sure. So everyone at the table gives ideas on how to stop the chirpping; hit it with a bat, throw a golf ball at it etc. Seriously these were all ideas. I finally take a break from playing to go and check it. You know the one button that you push to check it, I pushed it. Battery seemed fine, the detector responded.

So now I begin to think it is malfunctioning. It is next to the thermostat, I check the thermostat to see if it is warming up or if I am just cold blooded tonight. The thermostat reads 60!!! It has been set on 73! Now I check the vents, cold air blowing. Now I check the furnace, there is hole in one of the hoses, and the furnace room is cold.

Bingo! I know what this is! I am certain is is Carbon Monoxide...think about it; furnace malfunctiong, hole in hose, detector going off when it registers just fine. So, I get my utility bill out and find the area to report Carbon Monoxide, it says to call 911.

I am leary of this as I don't want to appear foolish, but, I have a daughter with asthma, and I am really concerned. I call.

The 911 operator asks about my emergency and then connects me to the fire department. I tell them I may have a problem, explain the circumstances. I am instructed to get my daughter, my pets and myself outside and wait for them to respond. And oh how they respond! Two huge fire trucks and a police officer!

I lead the super freaking hot fireman to my door, telling them I feel a little silly with the response. I am now in the house with 6, count them 6 firefighters, and one police officer. The CO detector they bring with them registers no problem. The tell me it is indeed a smoke and not CO detector and that it is the battery (it only tested ok because it is also hard wired to the house apparently). I have them look at the hole in hose. Guess what? It's a water drainage hose, no problem.

So I am left with an embarrassed 16 year old daughter that thinks I am a total kook, a cold house (something is wrong with the furnace) and wonderful sweet dreams of the hot fireman. That makes it worth the call.

I hope my cat gets trapped in a tree soon.