Protect yourself from the hazards of carbon monoxide (CO)

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a clear, odorless gas that is poisonous to humans and pets.

Sources Of Carbon Monoxide.

House fires,

furnaces or heaters,

wood-burning stoves,

motor vehicle exhaust,

propane-fueled equipment such as portable camping stoves,

Symptoms.

There are no perceptible symptoms if an individual's CO levels are less than 10 percent. Most people are unaware that they are being exposed.

At 10 percent levels, symptoms may mimic the flu or a cold. These may include

Headache

Fatigue

Mild confusion

Irregular breathing and heartbeat

Nausea

Coughing

At levels greater than 20 percent, a person can lose consciousness, go into a coma, or die.

If Carbon Monoxide poisoning is suspected:

Evacuate.

Get everyone into the fresh air immediately.

Call 9-1-1 from another location.

Report it to the fire department, even if everyone is feeling better.

 

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Have your furnace and gas appliances inspected and maintained by a qualified contractor once a year. This should be done before the start of the heating months.

In addition to professional annual checkups, periodically check your furnace. Look for these things:

Flames should be mostly blue and steady.

Look for discoloration or soot buildup around the burner access door and vents. This could signal a problem.

Check the venting system. Soft, rusted or broken vent piping can release combustion products indoors.

Examine the furnace or boiler. See that it's free of dust, rust or any other signs of corrosion.

Check air filters regularly. Clean or replace them as needed.

Make sure furnace panels and grill are in place and the fan compartment door is closed when the furnace is on. Leaving these doors open could cause CO to build up in living areas

Install Carbon Monoxide alarms