CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

In the  past decade, people have become more aware of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO)  poisoning in the home. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an  invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood,  coal, natural gas, propane, oil, and methane) burn incompletely. In the home,  heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon  monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce  dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. 


Facts & Figures
  • According to the National Safety Council, 400 gas-poisoning deaths occurred in 2000, 300
    of them in  homes.
  • The risk of unintentional CO death is highest for the very old (ages 75 or above).

Safety tips
  • Install CO alarms (listed by an  independent testing laboratory) inside your home to
    provide early warning of accumulating CO.
  • CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area.
  • After purchasing an alarm, call your local fire department's non-emergency telephone
    number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds. Post that number by your telephone(s) and make sure everyone in the household knows the difference between the fire  emergency and CO emergency numbers (if there is a difference).
  • Test CO alarms at least once a  month, and replace CO alarms according to the manufacturer's  instructions.
  • If you need to warm a vehicle,  remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle, generator, or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are  open. Make sure the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
  • During and after a snow storm,  make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow  build-up.
  • Have fuel-burning household  heating equipment (fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, wood and coal stoves,  space or portable heaters) and chimneys inspected by a professional every year  before cold weather sets in.
  • When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.
  • Open a window slightly whenever using a kerosene or gas heater. (Kerosene heaters are illegal in many states.  Always check with local authorities before buying or using one.) Only refuel  outside, after the device has cooled.
  • Never use your oven to heat your  home.
  • Only use barbecue grills  which  can produce CO  outside. Never use them in the home or  garage.
  • When purchasing new heating and  cooking equipment, select products tested and labeled by an independent testing  laboratory.
  • When purchasing an existing home,  have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking  systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and  house.
  • When camping, remember to use  battery-powered heaters and flashlights in tents trailers, and motor  homes.
  • CO alarms are not substitutes for  smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and in  or outside all sleeping areas.
  • Know the difference between the  sound of the smoke alarms and the sound of the CO alarms.

If your CO alarm sounds
  • If it is a battery-powered  intermittent alarm, check the battery.
  • If it is a steady alarm or you are  unable to determine, evacuate the dwelling. Do not re-enter until the responding  agency says it is ok.
  • Report the CO alarm warning by  calling the appropriate phone number.
  • Call a qualified technician to  inspect all equipment.

Symptoms of CO poisoning
  • Severe headache, dizziness, mental  confusion, nausea, or faintness. Many of these symptoms are similar to the flu,  food poisoning or other illnesses.