Carbon Monoxide Questions & Answers

Fire & Gas System
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What is carbon monoxide?

 It is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, such as gasoline, wood, charcoal, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, kerosene and methane burn incompletely.

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

 Heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances and cooking sources using coal, wood, petroleum products, and other fuels producing carbon monoxide.
 Products and equipment powered by an internal combustion engine, such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers produce carbon monoxide.
 Operating equipment inside an attached garage increases the risk of introduction of carbon monoxide into a living space.

What are the risk factors of carbon monoxide?

 Carbon monoxide fumes are dangerous and may be deadly. Especially at risk are:
 unborn babies
 infants
 older adults
 people who smoke
 people with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory problems

Why should my home have carbon monoxide alarms?

 According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, approximately 2,100 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year in the United States.
 There are more than 10,000 injuries annually from carbon monoxide.
 Fuel burning home heating and cooking equipment are sources of carbon monoxide.
 Car exhaust in an attached garage may leak carbon monoxide into the house even with the main garage door open.

Why is carbon monoxide harmful?

 It displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain, and other vital organs of oxygen.
 The molecules attach to your red blood cells more easily than oxygen molecules, depriving oxygen from getting into the body. This may damage tissues and result in death.

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1) WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE (CO)?

  • Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poison gas that can be fatal when inhaled.
  • It is sometimes called the “silent killer.”
  • CO inhibits the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen.
  • CO can be produced when burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil or wood.
  • CO is the product of incomplete combustion. If you have fire, you have CO.

2) WHERE DOES CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) COME FROM?

  • Any fuel-burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed.
  • Furnaces, gas range/stove, gas clothes dryer, water heater, portable fuel-burning space heaters, fireplaces, generators and wood burning stoves.
  • Vehicles, generators and other combustion engines running in an attached garage.
  • Blocked chimney or flue.
  • Cracked or loose furnace exchanger.
  • Back drafting and changes in air pressure.
  • Operating a grill in an enclosed space.

3) WHAT ARE CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISONING SYMPTOMS?

Initial symptoms are similar to the flu without a fever and can include dizziness, severe headaches, nausea, sleepiness, fatigue/weakness and disorientation/confusion.

4) WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) EXPOSURE?

  • Common Mild Exposure - Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, flu-like symptoms.
  • Common Medium Exposure - Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate.
  • Common Extreme Exposure - Convulsions, unconsciousness, brain damage, heart and lung failure followed by death.
  • If you experience even mild CO poisoning symptoms, immediately consult a physician!

5) ARE THERE ANY STEPS I CAN TAKE TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) POISONING?

  • Properly equip your home with carbon monoxide alarms on every level and in sleeping areas. The only safe way to detect CO in your home is with a CO alarm.
  • Every year have the heating system, vents, chimney and flue inspected by a qualified technician.
  • Regularly examine vents and chimneys for improper connections, visible rust and stains.
  • Install and operate appliances according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Only purchase appliances that have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
  • Never use a gas range/stove to heat the home.
  • Never leave your car idling in a closed garage or use fuel-powered appliances or tools in enclosed, attached areas such as garages or porches. Carbon monoxide can seep into your home through vents and doors.

6) DO I NEED A CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARM? WHERE SHOULD IT BE INSTALLED?

  • Every home with at least one fuel-burning appliance/heater, attached garage or fireplace should have a carbon monoxide alarm.
  • If the home has only one carbon monoxide alarm, it should be installed in the main bedroom or in the hallway outside of the sleeping area.
  • An alarm should be installed on every level of the home and in sleeping areas.
  • Place the alarm at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.
  • Make sure nothing is covering or obstructing the unit.
  • Do not place the unit in dead air spaces or next to a window or door.
  • Test the carbon monoxide alarm once a week by pressing the test/reset button.
  • Every month, unplug the unit and vacuum with a soft-brush attachment or wipe with a clean, dry cloth to remove accumulated dust.

7) SHOULD MY CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) ALARM HAVE A DIGITAL DISPLAY? WHAT DOES THE PEAK LEVEL FUNCTION DO?

A digital display allows you to see if CO is present and respond before it becomes a dangerous situation.

Peak Level Memory stores the highest recorded reading prior to being reset. This feature enables you to know if there was a reading while you were away from home, and also can help emergency responders determine the best treatment.

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