What
is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible
to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware
it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that
are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness,
disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly
from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration
and length of exposure.
Where does carbon monoxide come from?
CO gas can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills,
wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces and motor vehicles.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Medical experts believe that unborn
babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems
are at even greater risk for CO poisoning.
What Actions Do I Take if My Carbon Monoxide
Alarm Goes Off?
What you need to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off depends on whether
anyone is feeling ill or not.
If no one is feeling ill:
1. Silence the alarm.
2. Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion
(i.e. furnace and fireplace).
3. Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows.
4. Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the
possible CO buildup.
If illness
is a factor:
1. Evacuate all occupants immediately.
2. Determine how many occupants are ill and determine
their symptoms.
3. Call your local emergency number and when relaying
information to the dispatcher, include the number
of people
feeling ill.
4. Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire
department representative.
5. Call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO.
Protect Yourself and Your Family from CO Poisoning
Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning
signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure
the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as
Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO
over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult
would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing
symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces,
venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a
charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are
open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent
a dangerous buildup of CO.
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.