Carbon Monoxide: Play it Safe

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned.

If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous.  However, if appliances are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result.

Hundreds of people die unintentionally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. Fetuses, infants, the elderly, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease are especially susceptible.

At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, confused, nauseated, or faint.  Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that carbon monoxide could be the cause.

If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning:

GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.

CALL YOUR POISON CENTER AT 1-800-222-1222.  Your poison center may refer you to an emergency room for diagnosis and treatment. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure. Treatment includes high concentrations of oxygen.

Prevention is the Key to Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning!

  • Have your fuel-burning appliances -- including oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves -- inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season.
  • Make certain that all flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition, and not blocked.
  • Choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible. Have them properly installed and maintain them according to manufacturers’ instructions.
  • If you must use an unvented gas or kerosene space heater, carefully follow the precautions that come with the device. Use the proper fuel and keep doors to the rest of the house open. Crack a window to ensure enough air for ventilation and proper fuel-burning.
  • DON’T idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
  • DON'T idle the car while shoveling snow around it. Snow can obstruct the tail pipe, causing buildup of carbon monoxide inside the car.
  • DON’T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
  • DON’T ever use a charcoal grill indoors -- even in a fireplace.
  • DON'T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
  • DON’T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.
  • DON’T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. If you do nothing, you could lose consciousness and die.

About CO Alarms/Detectors:

  • Install a CO alarm now! CO alarms make great gifts. Based on size and configuration, some homes need more than one.
  • Don’t let buying a CO alarm lull you into a false sense of security. You still need to prevent CO from becoming a problem in your home.
  • When you buy a CO alarm, do some research on features and don’t select solely on the basis of cost. Non-governmental organizations such as Consumers Union (publisher of Consumer Reports), the American Gas Association, and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) can help you make an informed purchase. Look for UL certification on any CO alarm you purchase.
  • Carefully follow the manufacturers’ instructions for placement, use, and maintenance of your CO alarm.

 

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Author: Mary E. May, RN, BA, MPH
Certified Specialist in Poison Information