Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas which is formed when a fuel (wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, kerosene, etc) is burned. You may be exposed to carbon monoxide gas when your home contains:

• An incorrectly vented or malfunctioning oil, wood, gas, or coal furnace or hot water heater,
• an incorrectly vented non-electrical space heater,
• an incorrectly vented or malfunctioning gas clothes dryer, wood stove, or fireplace,
• a malfunctioning cooking appliance (gas stove),
• a clogged chimney,
• or if you leave a vehicle idling in an enclosed area.

Other sources of carbon monoxide include tobacco smoke, pool/spa heaters, and barbecue grills used in tents or campers.

Hundreds of people die each year in their homes from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. When inhaled, carbon monoxide combines more readily with the hemoglobin in your blood than oxygen. This prevents the absorption of oxygen by the body tissues. Carbon monoxide poisoning mimics many common illnesses such as the flu or food poisoning. Some of the common symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning are: headaches, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, faintness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, seizures, cardiac arrest, loss of hearing, blurry vision, vomiting, disorientation, loss of consciousness, coma, respiratory failure. Prolonged exposure to this harmful gas can result in death.

To avoid accidental poisoning by carbon monoxide in your home, have your furnaces, water heaters, and chimneys maintained regularly. You should have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected before each heating season. Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas. Don't start or leave running vehicles or power equipment (lawn mowers, chainsaws) in your garage.

Also, purchase a good quality carbon monoxide detector for your home (one that has both an electrical power source and a battery back-up). Remember, carbon monoxide detectors can help alert you to dangerous concentrations of the gas in your home but they are not foolproof.If your detector sounds and you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning leave your home immediately and call 911, the police, or fire department. If your detector sounds and you have no symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, first check the detector. Push the reset button (if applicable), turn off any appliances or other sources of combustion, get fresh air to the building by opening doors and windows, and call the fire department to check for sources of carbon monoxide. Adjust, repair or replace any malfunctioning equipment as needed by calling a qualified service company.