What if you knew a killer was stalking your home? A silent, deadly killer that could steal away your family’s lives without any warning? Wouldn’t you do something about it?
That can be the case with carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as natural gas, fuel oil, charcoal, or wood. It can be emitted by any improperly installed or poorly maintained combustion source such as unvented kerosene or gas space heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, gas stoves, fireplaces, or water heaters.
Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide interferes with the proper delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. When you inhale high concentrations of this potentially deadly gas, it can displace the oxygen in your bloodstream and cause one or more of the following symptoms:
- Poor coordination
- Confusion and disorientation
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
If the concentration is high enough and the exposure is long enough—it can even lead to death. Approximately 1,000 people die each year as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Make sure that all combustion appliances (fireplace, stove, water heater, furnace, etc.) are (1) installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications and (2) properly adjusted and maintained.
- Have a trained technician inspect all combustion sources on an annual basis
- Confirm that all combustion sources are properly vented and that your furnace has an adequate supply of outside (combustion) air.
- Open flues when using either a wood-burning or natural gas fireplace.
- Always use the proper fuel in a combustion device
- Don’t use ovens or gas ranges to heat your home
- Never burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle, or any other enclosed space
- Don’t leave a motor vehicle or gasoline-powered lawn mover running in enclosed spaces such as a garage or shed.
First Aid for Carbon Monoxide Exposure
- Get fresh air immediately! Open a door or a window. If you can, turn off the combustion device and get outside!
- Seek emergency medical care. Be sure to tell the physician that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Small wall- or ceiling-mounted carbon monoxide detectors can be useful and part of an overall home safety program. But keep in mind the following:
- Most of today’s home-use carbon monoxide detectors aren’t as technologically reliable as smoke detectors, and
- The installation and use of carbon monoxide detectors is no substitute for the proper use and maintenance of combustion devices in the home
If you do purchase a commercially available carbon monoxide detector, make sure that it meets Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) standards. As is the case with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed close to sleeping areas.