Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the “Silent Killer” and for good reason. Hundreds of people die every year from the unintentional exposure to this deadly and invisible gas. Over 15,000 emergency crew visits are reported to occur in the United States alone from suspected carbon monoxide gas in the home. Carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to cause over 10,000 injuries yearly worldwide. The most shocking statistic is that approximately 65% of non-fatal carbon monoxide exposures occur in the home environment and these non-fatal exposures can have long-term health effects such as Parkinson’s Disease, Agnosia (inability to recognize people and objects) or Apraxia (involuntary movement). Limited exposures to carbon monoxide can have other long-term nerve damage effects in humans causing mental deterioration, urinary incontinence and visual impairment.

It is important to evaluate your home or building environment on a regular basis to determine possible carbon monoxide exposures. Educate all other household members regarding the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and the serious nature of preventing exposure to this undetectable gas..

Carbon monoxide safety and prevention tips:

  • Keep all gas appliances properly adjusted by a professional (gas stove, furnace, water heater, etc.).
  • Consider purchasing a vented gas-operated space heater when replacing an unvented gas model.
  • Never use a kerosene space heater indoors in a home or building environment. Only use fuel as indicated in directions in kerosene space heaters.
  • Never use a propane heater indoors in a home or building environment.
  • Never operate a charcoal-burning cooking or heating device in an attached garage or indoors.
  • Install or use a ventahood unit over gas stoves which are vented to outdoors s.
  • Open flues when fireplaces or wood-burning stoves are in use. Ensure that fireplace flue is clear of branches, leaves, bird nests and other obstructions which could cause smoke-laden Carbon Monoxide (CO) gases to back up into the indoor environment. Fireplace flues should be cleaned yearly.
  • Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
  • Have a trained professional inspect a central heating furnace before every heating season. Repair any leaks in flues promptly. Furnaces found to have leaks in the heat exchanger should be replaced immediately.
  • Have a trained professional inspect gas water heaters and gas stoves on a annual basis. Repair any leaks in flues promptly.
  • Never idle a motor vehicle (car, truck, ATV or motorcycle) inside an attached garage.
  • Always start lawnmowers and other lawn-care devices outdoors away from an attached garage.
  • Install a CO detector adjacent to bedrooms in any house, apartment or building which has gas-burning appliances of any kind. CO detectors should be placed over 15 feet from a gas furnace. Replace batteries yearly.
  • Operate generators at least 10 feet away from a house or building and never use in an attached garage for any period of time.
  • Never use a gas stove for heating even during power outages.
  • Never ignore a gas-burning safety device when it automatically shuts off the appliance.

Early warning CO poisoning symptoms:

  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Fast pulse
  • Visual changes
  • Headache

Possible signs of severe CO related symptoms:

  • Fainting
  • Confusion
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Heart attack

Signs of improper gas-burning appliance function:

If any of the following conditions occur in a house, apartment or building, evacuate the indoor occupants immediately and call a professional who can evaluate the situation.

  • Unfamilar or burning odor
  • Decreasing hot water flow at faucets
  • Yellow or orange flame during gas-burning period
  • Soot accumulation, especially on appliances
  • Gas-burning furnace running constantly or unable to heat house

Proactive attention to these carbon monoxide safety tips may save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

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