Carbon Monoxide

Although the popularity of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors has been growing in recent years, it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide 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, 200-300 unintentional-injury deaths a year are due to carbon monoxide poisioning.

• The dangers of CO exposure depend on a number of variables, including the victim's health and activity level. Infants, pregnant women, and people with physical conditions that limit their body's ability to use oxygen (i.e. emphysema, asthma, heart disease) can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of CO than healthy adults would be.

• A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.

Symptoms of CO poisoning
The concentration of CO, measured in parts per million (ppm) is a determining factor in the symptoms for an average, healthy adult.

Source: NFPA's Fire Protection Handbook, 19th Edition.

Safety tips in the home

• 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. If bedrooms are separated and audibility could be impaired, more than one unit may be required.

• Call your local fire department's non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds. Post that number by your telephone(s). 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.

• CO alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and CO alarms.

• Have fuel-burning 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 purchasing new heating and cooking equipment, select products tested and labeled by an independent testing laboratory.

• When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.

• Open a window slightly whe using a kerosene or gas heater. (Note: Kerosene heaters are illegal in many states. 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.

• 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.

Safety tips outside the home

• 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 snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.

• Only use barbecue grills – which can produce CO – outside. Never use them in the home or garage.

• When camping, remember to use battery-powered heaters and flashlights in tents trailers, and motor homes.

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 the source, evacuate the dwelling.

• Report the CO alarm warning by calling the appropriate phone number.

• Do not re-enter until the responding agency says it is OK.

Call a qualified technician to inspect all equipment.