Carbon Monoxide: What You Don’t Know Can Harm You

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious public health problem. More than 10,000 are poisoned by carbon monoxide and need medical treatment each year; more than 500 people in the US die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.

CO is found in the fumes produced whenever you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas stoves, or ovens. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals that breathe it.

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in too much CO, it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.

So how can you prevent CO poisoning in your home?

• Install a battery-operated CO detector or battery backup in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Place your detector where it will wake you up if the alarm sounds, such as outside your bedroom. Replace your CO detector every five years.
• Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliance checked by a qualified technician every year.
• Do not use flameless portable chemical heaters indoors.
• If you notice an odor coming from your gas refrigerator, seek expert service. An odor from your gas refrigerator can mean you might have a CO leak.
• When shopping for gas equipment, buy only equipment that bears the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.
• Make sure your gas appliances are properly vented. Horizontal appliance vent pipes should rise slightly as they go outside. This prevents CO leaks from occurring if the joints or pipes are not tight enough.
• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your house or cabin.
• Never use a gas stove or oven for heating. Using a gas stove or oven for heating can cause a buildup of CO inside your home, cabin, or RV.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or within 20 feet of any window, door, or vent.

Stand-alone carbon monoxide detectors typically cost between $20 and $50. Despite the relatively low cost, security checks have shown that fewer than one in ten homes had a carbon monoxide detector.

Being informed about the potential dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and taking some proactive safety measures can help prevent unnecessary harm to you and your loved ones.