I started my experiment on October 1 to turn off all electronics and lights starting at 8pm and to only use oil lamps and candles. I wanted to see if it would make me more productive, get more sleep and maybe cut the electric bill. In September I purchased several oil lamps off eBay and then I did research on lamp oil. I decided after reading many sites that I would use kerosene, since it burned brighter and I still wanted to be able to get things done. So I purchased KleanHeat Oil Lamp Fuel, it stated that the smell burned off in about 5 – 10 minutes – I was all set!
Saturday night I was home alone, Stella was at a sleep over and at 8pm – the computer, TV, stereo (they are all on power strips, so they were turned completely off) all went off along with all the lights. I lit 2 oil lamps and the initial smell was horrible, but it did get better. After about 30 – 45 minutes I could not take the smell anymore and I had left all the windows downstairs open about 2 inches. I took the dog for a walk to get some fresh air. When I came back the smell was still there but not as bad. I did not go upstairs to bed for another 2 hours and when I did there was no smell.
Sunday night I did the same thing. I wish someone could have taken a picture – I was sitting at the dining room table with the oil lamps and hand sewing Stella’s quilt. About an hour went by and my head was killing me, I was also feeling a little sick – the lamps went off. I opened both the front and back door and opened all the windows further. I took the dog for a walk, when I came back the smell was just a strong. I went upstairs to get into bed and read – the smell was horrible upstairs, worse than down. I put a window fan in my room, Stella’s room and the hallway and turned them to suck the air out – I knew they were working because I smell the cedar from the attic. I got into bed and started reading – the headache got worse, then I thought – did I fill the house with carbon monoxide – I ran into Stella’s room and put my finger under her nose – she was still breathing! I then went downstairs, turned the computer on and looked up carbon monoxide poisoning – yes I had some of the symptoms – but I did not know if it was carbon monoxide related or just from the smell because I do not have a carbon monoxide detector. Now I was panicking! I needed to get fresh air into the house if it was carbon monoxide. Bernie, the dog was just laying on the floor and I could not get him to move – OMG!!! What had I done! What about crawlie – the crayfish – he was ok. All the windows now open, the fans going – what was I going to do – should we go to my neighbors and sleep on her couch, what about Stella!?
Back upstairs I went – I woke Stella up – she said she was dizzy, was it because I woke her from a dead sleep or was it carbon monoxide? I put her in my bed along with the dog. I laid next to her with my hand on her stomach so I could make sure she was breathing – I set the alarm for an hour – I did not sleep for that hour – was I crazy, what should I do? I set the alarm for every hour until it was time for us to get up -then in the morning I thought how stupid – if we died would it take an hour or less – we should have left the house. All I can say is that I am going out and buying carbon monoxide detectors – one for outside both bedrooms and one downstairs – I don’t ever not want to know again! If you do not have one. please go out and buy some – carbon monoxide poisoning is serious and deadly – take the precaution!
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