Yes, that’s right, we said it. Chances are the hundreds of dollars you spent on that cute little tradeshow giveaway with your company’s name, address, phone number and web site on it would have better been spent gambling that a blind dog would win the Kentucky Derby.

OK, so for those of you not into horse racing, dogs don’t run in the Kentucky Derby.

So… Your point is WHAT?

If you want to make a memorable impression on a booth visitor you should give them something that could, oh, we don’t know… save their families life, perhaps?

Custom labeled Carbon monoxide detector badges cost just as much, or some cases a lot less, than the latest tradeshow giveaway gimmick and people who receive them will find themselves a lot less likely to throw them out when they sift through their bag(s) of tradeshow swag after the show.

Simple and effective, these things could save a life… or a whole house full of lives. So the next time a co-worker suggests buying a bunch of squishy stress balls with your company’s logo on them for an upcoming show, remind that person where all those balls go: out in the backyard for the dogs to chew on, never to be seen again.

Then, use the harsh moment of silence to ask one simple question: “What if we gave away something that potential customers could use to save the life of their families?” and see where the conversation goes from there.

Customized appearance on a useful product

We cannot stress the importance of having your company’s name and logo appear on a product that will remain in the view booth visitors and other customers/potentials long after their visit has ended. Carbon monoxide badges WILL remain in eyesight for up to 2 to 3 years in an unopened package and up to 90 days once put into use.

Can your colleague say that about a stress ball or any other traditional tradeshow gimmick?

Who uses CO badges anyways?

Professionally speaking, just about any occupation where fumes from a combustion process (in a furnace, from cars, in industry, in the event of a house or structure fire, etc.) could possibly accumulate as expected or unexpectedly.

• Mining Companies
• Airlines and Airports
• Marinas and Shipping Companies
• Distribution and Shipping Companies
• Factories
• Home Inspectors
• HVAC Technicians, Plumbers, Electricians
• Marketing, Promotional Companies
• Manufacturers
• Magazine and Other Publishers
• Charitable Organizations
• Hospitals, Schools, Churches, Auditoriums, Public Facilities, etc.
• Government and Military Installations
• Restaurants

The above list represents but a small fraction of the places and types of organizations who routinely purchase carbon dioxide detection devices… so just think about the number of people involved in one or more of those activities. Each one represents a potential shirt pocket or in-sight location where your company’s name will sit in plain view for a good long while.

For those not familiar with methane, you may know it better as ‘natural gas’. Many homes have heating, cooking and/or laundry equipment that runs on natural gas.

Regarding propane, some homes use propane as their heating source, various styles of portable cooking equipment may use propane and many industrial buildings have large propane tanks stored within them.

Carbon monoxide exists in all open air atmospheres but in closed quarters it can cause people to become groggy, fall asleep and eventually stop breathing altogether. While many people believe flame acts as the primary killer in house fires, carbon monoxide poisoning via smoke inhalation kills far more people than flames. Also, improperly vented or blocked chimneys from gas furnaces or fireplaces will result in large amounts of carbon dioxide backing up into a building and putting the lives of everyone inside at risk.

Below you will find the response we got the last time asked the question.

• Trace smoke emitters for leak detection & draft testing
• Analog & Digital Borescopes/ VideoScopes
• Disposable Carbon Monoxide Detector Badges
• Smoke Detector Testing Equipment & Spray
• Instant Mold & Protein Test Swabs (10 minute results)
• Carbon Monoxide Testing Equipment & Spray
• Radon Gas Test Kits & Radon Mitigation Supplies
• Moisture meters & water leak alarms
• Gas leak detection meters & monitors

Got a need for testing products not in that list? Take a look at the gigantic lineup of testing products at TestProducts.Com. We feel confident that you’ll find what you need!

Home & Property Inspection Kit

Digital Scale (0 – 150 grams)

]]> http://test-for.com/blog/2011/01/useful-testing-instruments-at-national-safety-products/feed/ 0 http://test-for.com/blog/2010/11/carbon-monoxide-poisoning%e2%80%a6-blame-the-water/ http://test-for.com/blog/2010/11/carbon-monoxide-poisoning%e2%80%a6-blame-the-water/#comments Tue, 09 Nov 2010 13:03:04 +0000 Water Testing Blog http://watertestingblog.com/?p=2904 One of our readers wrote in recently to ask if a household could get poisoned by carbon monoxide coming out of their water supply (well water). We had to think about that one for a minute… and then do a little research.

Thus far we have not found any evidence to support the hypothesis that well water could, or would, emit carbon monoxide and ‘poison’ anyone.

We did, however, find a really depressing article about several volunteer firemen who died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning they got while trying to remove a dead animal from a well in Pennsylvania. Read the story on the CDC Web Site… if you want to get depressed.

Just so that no one can say we blow up the significance of one tragic event to make a point, read this story about two people and a dog that officials believe died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning that came out of Connecticut recently (November 2, 2010).

So what IS carbon monoxide and why does it poison us?

Technically speaking, carbon monoxide consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen molecule — resulting in a compound with a serious liking and lust for hemoglobin. For those who don’t know, hemoglobin acts as the primary oxygen carrying compound in the human body and if it has become entangled with carbon monoxide by forming a carboxyhemoglobin molecule, well, the hemoglobin no longer has the ability to transport oxygen to the cells and the body goes without oxygen… which means the person exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide will get lightheaded and eventually pass out if they don’t take action (move out of the gas!) immediately.

If not removed from the carbon monoxide rich environment in time and given proper treatment, the person will eventually die.

Where does carbon monoxide come from, if not from well water?

As a general rule, “Carbon monoxide is a product of combustion of organic matter under conditions of restricted oxygen supply, which prevents complete oxidation to carbon dioxide (CO2). Sources of carbon monoxide include house fires, faulty furnaces, heaters, wood-burning stoves, internal combustion vehicle exhaust, electrical generators, propane-fueled equipment such as portable stoves, and gasoline-powered tools such as leaf blowers, lawn mowers, high-pressure washers, concrete cutting saws, power trowels, and welders.” ( source )

What should you take away from that definition? Simple: If you have anything burning, make sure you have ample ventilation to remove the fumes generated by the combustion (burning) process.

Detecting carbon monoxide?

In the past people had to rely upon things like… birds to tell them when levels of methane or other potentially dangerous gases had built up in a confined area. How did that work? The birds passed out and/or died when levels of dangerous gases got high enough to knock them out, but not (yet) high enough to cause serious harm to the people around them.

Moral of that story? “When Tweety stops singin’, it’s time to get out!!!”

These days, however, people have several choices available to them if they want to monitor levels of carbon monoxide gas in their homes, workshops, etc. Between personal badges, electronic meters and wall-mounted detectors, pretty much no one has any reason to suffer the ill effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Personal Carbon Monoxide Detection Badge

Portable Honeywell Carbon Monoxide Meter

Wall Mount Carbon Monoxide Detector

Looking for a way to keep your company’s name and contact information in front of your customer base? If so, we may have found the perfect solution!

You should consider investing in custom imprinted carbon monoxide badges! Unlike most tradeshow giveaway items, promotional mailer items or reminders you can leave behind for your customers, carbon monoxide detection badges more than likely will get used AND keep your company’s name constantly displayed in a prominent places at your customers’ homes or places of business.

Think of it this way: Have you ever heard of a cool looking writing pen, stress ball, bookmark, drink koozie, ruler, miniature notepad, or other (more or less useless) item saving any of your customers’ lives? We haven’t, either.

• Each and every detector you had out could potentially save a life by alerting people to the presence of carbon monoxide gas.

• Individual detectors measure 2¼” x 2¼” and contain only non-toxic materials.

• A convenient adhesive strip on the back of each detector allows for quick mounting on pretty much any surface.

• Detectors have a 2 to 3 year shelf-life, as long as they remain in an unopened state, and once opened each detector works for a period of 90 days.

• The detection area will change orange-red to red-brown in color and then to gray-black as the concentration of carbon monoxide increases around it.

Now that you have gone and done something very wise, like installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home, you may find yourself asking, “Hmmm… How do I TEST a carbon monoxide detector?”

So glad you asked!

Now you COULD get up on a ladder and exhale cigarette smoke into the thing to see if it goes off, but we really think that sounds like a BAD IDEA. So does running a hose from the tailpipe of an automobile into the house and closing all the doors and windows… and waiting to see if the alarm goes off before you pass out.

Instead, you can do the smart thing and pick up CO Check: CO Alarm Test Gas in Aerosol Can. Much, much safer than the aforementioned methods and does not require the use of cigarettes or gasoline engines!

Simply aim the nozzle in the direction of the detector, press the aerosol dispenser, and let the CO get at your detector. See instructions on can for specific testing procedures, though, before you begin your testing.

Flammable Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detector

Combination Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detector

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Test Kit

]]> http://test-for.com/blog/2010/03/question-how-can-i-test-my-carbon-monoxide-detector/feed/ 0 http://test-for.com/blog/2010/02/testing-for-carbon-monoxide/ http://test-for.com/blog/2010/02/testing-for-carbon-monoxide/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:03:00 +0000 Test For Admin http://test-for.com/blog/?p=321 As the cold air continues to hang around this Winter and we keep the fires burning in the fireplaces and stoves that we need to make sure all vents and chimneys contain no blockages. Why? Because carbon monoxide kills people every year as a result of blocked vents and chimneys.

How Does Carbon Monoxide Kill?

Quite simply, the hemoglobin in our blood which normally carries oxygen to the cells in our bodies becomes the target of carbon monoxide when the two come in contact with one another. The carbon monoxide latches on to hemoglobin molecules and displaces oxygen molecules when it does so.

Exposure to low concentrations of carbon monoxide result in symptoms which people often mistake for the flu or other common Wintertime illnesses.

Exposure to high concentrations of carbon monoxide results in the displacing of ALL oxygen molecules and that means ZERO oxygen reaches the cells… and that causes cell death in a matter of minutes. When enough cells die, so does the host (person).

How Do I Know If I Have Carbon Monoxide Gas?

Like all effective killers, carbon monoxide creeps up on its victims undetected. It has no odor, no color and the human eye cannot see it. Only a carbon monoxide detector will let you know if it has made its way into your environment.

Below you will find carbon monoxide detectors and products designed to help you test carbon monoxide detectors:

110vAC Plug-in Methane, Propane and Carbon Monoxide Detector (HS80504) with Audible & Visual Indication	HS80504
300 Custom Imprinted Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CP300) Special Offer $795	CP300
CO Alarm Test Gas in Aerosol Can, CO Check (CO-8) Used for Testing Carbon Monoxide Detectors	CO8
CO Alarm Test Kit for Testing of Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CO-Test) with Real Carbon Monoxide Gas in Pre-Scored Ampoule	CO-test
CO Badge: Carbon Monoxide Detector Badge 2⅛” x 2⅛” (cP1) with Adhesive Strip	cP1
CO Badge: Carbon Monoxide Detector Badge 2⅛” x 2⅛” (cP1-bulk) 50/Pack with Adhesive Strip	cP1-bulk
CO Badge: Custom Imprinted Promotional Carbon Monoxide Detectors (cP2CS) 2⅛” x 2⅛”	cP2CS
CO Carbon Monoxide Alarm Wall Mount/Portable (CDK22) Battery Operated with Batteries and Hardware	CDK22
CO Carbon Monoxide Detector: Digital Handheld 0 to 999ppm (CO71A) with Belt-Clip Carrying Case	CO71A
CO Carbon Monoxide Detector: Digital, Handheld 0 to 1000ppm (DCO1001) with LCD Display	DCO1001
CO Carbon Monoxide Detector: Digital, Handheld; 1 to 999ppm (715-202-G1) with Carrying Case – Made in USA	715-202-G1
CO/Temp Flue Analyzer Kit: Digital Carbon Monoxide 0-999, Temp 32-1112°F (CO91) w/Built-In Pump, SS Probe & Carrying Case	CO91
Gas Alert Extreme Carbon Monoxide Detector (GAXT-M-DL) 0-1000ppm CO Sensor	GAXT-M-DL
Honeywell MiniMAX Personal Gas Monitor: CO Carbon Monoxide 0-200 ppm (XTRT-CO) Real Time Display	XTRT-CO
Wall Mount CO Carbon Monoxide Alarm ELECTRIC (CD9585) IC Sensor 120vAC Direct Plug-in	CD-9585
Wall/Ceiling Mount CO Carbon Monoxide Alarm (CD-9490) Battery Backup & Digital Display 120vAC	CD-9490
Wall/Ceiling Mount CO Carbon Monoxide Alarm BATTERY (CD9000) Biomemetic Sensor with Battery	CD-9000
Wall/Ceiling Mount: Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Alarm 110vAC, Dual Ionization Sensor (CD-9795) w/Large Mounting Ring & Battery	CD-9795

]]> http://test-for.com/blog/2010/02/testing-for-carbon-monoxide/feed/ 0 http://test-for.com/blog/2010/01/important-message-from-national-safety-products/ http://test-for.com/blog/2010/01/important-message-from-national-safety-products/#comments Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:51:35 +0000 Test For Admin http://test-for.com/blog/?p=274

The following message comes from National Safety Products, an online distributor of testing and inspection equipment for many different applications, professions and environments:

Every year thousands of families are torn apart by the harmful effects of environmental hazards such as Carbon Monoxide (CO),  Radon Gas in air & water,  Lead,  Mold,  Mildew,  Fire, Smoke,  Gas Leakage,  Unsafe Water,  Radiation poisoning and many others.

These killers cause deaths and illnesses that could have otherwise been prevented had they been detected. In most instances, invisible and carrying no detectable odors, poisonous environmental elements are very real and exist in homes, offices, schools & hospitals.

Test now with our low cost, home test kits & detectors.

Fire & smoke destroy too many lives, scar many others & destroy valuable property. Have smoke detectors installed in the proper locations
throughout your home, office etc. Be certain that your smoke detector is functioning properly, by testing periodically. Use an approved "smoke detector tester" to be certain the smoke sensor & circuitry is function. By pressing the button you can only be assured that the battery has remaining power & that the siren functions.

Purchase smoke detectors and smoke detector tester direct: Ordering info

CO Carbon Monoxide Alarm Wall Mount/Portable (CDK22) Battery Operated with Batteries and Hardware $29.95 $19.99

Combustion Analyzer: Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide & Carbon Monoxide (C125KIT) with Infrared Printer, Stainless Steel Flue Probe, 9′ Hose & Case $1,297.95 $1,165.00

]]> http://test-for.com/blog/2009/10/carbon-monoxide-detectors/feed/ 0 http://test-for.com/blog/2009/10/carbon-monoxide-detectors-for-personal-use/ http://test-for.com/blog/2009/10/carbon-monoxide-detectors-for-personal-use/#comments Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:03:24 +0000 Test For Admin http://test-for.com/blog/?p=120

Got a tradeshow or public event coming up and looking for a new and unique keepsake giveaway to hand to prospective customers? Take a look at these portable carbon monoxide detectors… that you can imprint with you company’s information!

So STOP handing out useless pens with fuzzy tassles on the ends and start doing something useful for your customers — like possibly saving their life!

Nothing breeds customer loyalty like helping someone out of a near death experience! LOL.

Flir Thermal Imaging Camera: Extech i5 (IRC40) with 512MB SD Card, Lithium Battery, Charger, Software & Cables	Cable Length Meter: Digital to 30,000′, 26 to 4/0 AWG (CLM100B) Hi-Resolution w/3′ Test Leads, Copper Calibration Bar & Hard Case	300 Custom Imprinted Carbon Monoxide Detectors (CP300) Special Offer $795.00
Battery Charger: For Ni-Cd & Ni-MH AA & AAA (VL2000HU) with (4) AA NiMH 200mA Rechargeable Batteries	BoreScope: Digital VideoScope 72″ x 0.42″ Flexible Obedient Shaft (VS72-10WW) with LCD Display, RCA-NTSC Video Output & Hard Case	eXact® Micro 7+ Kit for Water Quality Testing (486691-K) pH, Calcium Hardness, Total Alkalinity, Cyanuric Acid, Copper, Free & Total Chlorine

* Note: At the time we posted these items the merchant(s) offered promotional pricing. All offers subject to, well, the merchant realizing he had priced things too low and cancelling the sale.