What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can be deadly if breathed in sufficient quantities.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a by-product of incomplete combustion and is produced when natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood burn with insufficient air.

Potential sources of carbon monoxide in your home:

Gas or Oil Furnace

• Leaky pipe or flue
• Cracked heat exchanger

Gas or Kerosene Space Heater

Wood Stove

Fireplace

• Blocked or clogged chimney

Attached Garage

• Running car
• Operating barbeque

Gas Water Heater

• Corroded / disconnected vent pipe

Gas Appliances

• Stove, clothes dryer, refrigerator

It doesn't matter if your home is old or new, if you heat with a fossil fuel or if you have an attached garage, your home has a potential source of carbon monoxide. Older homes may be susceptible due to deterioration of the chimney or older malfunctioning appliances. However, today's energy-wise, tightly sealed homes may be at even more risk. Newer homes are built so that there are few air leaks, possibly leading to a greater likelihood of disaster if a carbon monoxide problem occurs.

What happens if you breathe in CO?

When you breathe air containing carbon monoxide, the gas is absorbed into your bloodstream, where it displaces and replaces the oxygen molecules that your cells need to function. As the level of carbon monoxide in your blood rises, vital organs such as your heart and brain become deprived of oxygen. To compensate, your heart rate increases, breathing may become difficult and cardiac trauma, brain damage, coma and even death may result.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Symptoms: Headaches, Dizziness, Nausea, Fatigue, Flu-like symptoms
Many people confuse these symptoms with those of the flu or the start of a cold. When you are asleep you may be unaware of the effects of a carbon monoxide leak. Because victims of carbon monoxide poisoning slip deeper into unconsciousness as their carbon monoxide exposure worsens, we recommend that you install a carbon monoxide detector in or near each sleeping area in your home.

Prevention is your best protection

1. Have your furnace and fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a qualified technician.
2. Have your chimney and flue pipes professionally cleaned annually.
3. Never run an automobile or gasoline engine in an enclosed space such as a garage.
4. Install a carbon monoxide detector in or near each sleeping area in your home.
5. Never use a natural gas or propane barbeque in an attached garage or in the house.
6. Be sure to read and understand the instructions that come with your carbon monoxide detector. Follow all installation instructions carefully.

Where to install your CO Alarm

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that every home be equipped with at least one carbon monoxide detector near the primary sleeping area of the home. For extra protection, place one carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home.
Because carbon monoxide mixes freely with air, the detector doesn't need to be mounted near the ceiling. Unlike smoke alarms, carbon monoxide can be placed at any height in your home from the floor to the ceiling.