Carbon monoxide (CO) is a serious public health problem. More than 10,000 get carbon monoxide poisoning and need medical treatment each year; More than 500 people in the US die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning.
CO is found in the fumes produced whenever you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas stoves, or ovens. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals that breathe it in.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, you can pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.
So how can you prevent CO poisoning in your home?
- Install a battery-operated CO detector or battery backup in your home and check or replace the battery when the time changes on your clocks each spring and fall. Place your detector where it will wake you up if the alarm goes off, such as outside your bedroom. Replace your CO detector every five years.
- Have a qualified technician check your heating system, water heater, and any other appliances that burn gas, oil, or coal every year.
- Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.
- If you notice an odor coming from your gas refrigerator, call an expert for service. An odor from your gas refrigerator can mean you might have a CO leak.
- When purchasing gas equipment, only purchase equipment that bears the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.
- Make sure your gas appliances are properly vented. Horizontal vent pipes for appliances should rise slightly as they run to the outside. This prevents CO leaks if joints or pipes are not tight.
- Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked with debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
- Never use a gas stove or oven for heating. Using a gas stove or oven for heating can cause a buildup of CO inside your home, cabin, or mobile home.
- Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage, or within 20 feet of any window, door, or vent.
Standalone carbon monoxide detectors typically cost between $20 and $50. Despite the relatively low cost, security checks have shown that less than one in ten homes had a carbon monoxide detector.
Being informed about the potential dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and taking some proactive safety measures can help prevent unnecessary harm to you and your loved ones.
