Each year, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning kills 200 people and causes
more than 10,000 people to seek care from an emergency department according
to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The symptoms of CO poisoning can be difficult to distinguish from the flu. These include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness.
CO is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced from the incomplete burning of carbon based fuels (such as natural gas, propane, coal, oil, gasoline, charcoal, or wood). Appliances in good repair do not produce significant amounts of CO, however, improperly functioning appliances can produce high quantities of CO. Other sources include automobiles, lawn mowers, and fireplaces.
It is strongly recommended that every household install CO detectors and provide frequent maintenance to prevent CO poisoning. The best treatment is prevention. Remember a CO detector does NOT take the place of smoke alarms, which should also be installed in every household.
We recommend the following:
- Install a carbon monoxide detector that meets the requirements of the Underwriters Laboratories 2034 or International Approval Service 6-96 standard
- Each fall have a qualified technician inspect your central and room heating appliances, water heaters, gas dryers, vents, flues, and chimneys
- Install appliances according to manufacturer's instructions (most appliances should be installed by professionals) and use these appliances only as recommended by the manufacturer
- Do NOT use a gas range or oven to heat the house
- Do NOT burn charcoal in a garage or in the house
- Do NOT leave a car running in the garage
- Know the
difference between the sounds of your smoke alarm and CO detector