CARBON MONOXIDE

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, deadly gas. It can kill you before you know it because you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it. At lower levels of exposure, it can cause health problems. Some people may be more vulnerable to CO poisoning such as fetuses, infants, children, senior citizens and those with heart or lung problems.

CO poisoning can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion, and irritability. Later stages of CO poisoning can cause vomiting, loss of consciousness and eventually brain damage or death.

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of combustion of fossil fuels. Fumes from automobiles contain high levels of CO. Appliances such as furnaces, space heaters, clothes dryers, ranges, ovens, water heaters, charcoal grills, fireplaces, and wood burning stoves produce CO. Carbon monoxide usually is vented to the outside if appliances function correctly and the home is vented properly. Problems occur when furnace heat exchanger crack or vents and chimneys become blocked. Insulation sometimes can trap CO in the home.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm near the bedrooms. If a home has more than one story, a detector should be placed on each story.

The following is a checklist for where to look for problem sources of CO in the home:

• A forced air furnace is frequently the source of leaks and should be carefully inspected. Remember you cannot smell carbon monoxide.
• Check all venting systems to the outside including flues and chimneys for cracks, corrosion, holes, debris, blockages.
• Check all other appliances in the home that use flammable fuels such as natural gas, oil, propane, wood, or kerosene.
• Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide because the by-products of combustion are released inside the home rather than vented outside.
• Be sure space heaters are vented properly.
• Barbecue grills should never be operated indoors under any circumstances nor should stove tops or ovens that operate on flammable fuels be used to heat a residence.

Please watch the following video for information on carbon monoxide alarms.