CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms. Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. For example, a gas boiler may be operating properly but if the flue is blocked or defective, CO can vent into your home and kill you.
Many people believe that carbon monoxide is not a big problem. In fact, it's the main cause of death by poisoning in the country, contributing to over 10, illnesses and up to 50 deaths per year.
Common questions What are the symptoms of CO poisoning? How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning at home? Make sure that all of your fuel-burning appliances e. Purchase carbon monoxide detectors for your home and get them professionally fitted and regularly tested. Very high levels of CO are not likely to occur outdoors.
However, when CO levels are elevated outdoors, they can be of particular concern for people with some types of heart disease. These people already have a reduced ability for getting oxygenated blood to their hearts in situations where the heart needs more oxygen than usual. They are especially vulnerable to the effects of CO when exercising or under increased stress.
Some potential sources of CO are: Stoves and kitchen ranges — Gas stoves and kitchen ranges can be a source of carbon monoxide in your home, especially when they are used without proper ventilation, such as a range hood. To help prevent this, keep your stove and kitchen range clean and in proper working condition. Fireplaces — During the winter months , some people may choose to use their fireplace as an alternative source of heat. The smoke from the burning wood could accumulate in your home, increasing the concentration of carbon monoxide and other dangerous particulate matter in your air.
Always open your flue when using a fireplace. Grills — Never use a grill in an enclosed space, such as a garage. The CO formed from the burning fuel can accumulate to toxic concentrations. Furnaces, dryers, water heaters and space heaters — In some homes, these appliances are powered by burning fuel. Without proper ventilation, inspection and maintenance, these appliances could emit CO into your home. Like other air pollution concerns, carbon monoxide poisoning tends to happen more often during the extremely cold months of winter.
Portable generators — Gas-powered portable generators can be especially dangerous because they produce high levels of carbon monoxide when in use. To be safe, always use a portable generator outside, at least 25 feet away, and downwind, from any open windows or doors. Tobacco smoke — Cigarettes can be another source of carbon monoxide for both smokers and the people that they come in contact with. When you smoke a cigarette, you directly inhale a portion of the CO created from the combustion that occurs when the tobacco within a cigarette is burned.
Additionally, smoking can increase ambient CO levels, especially in an enclosed room, increasing CO exposure for people who are not smoking. Cars, RVs and other vehicles — Many vehicles require fuel combustion to operate. Many people like to run their cars for a few minutes inside the garage on cold mornings. However, this practice can potentially cause an unsafe accumulation of CO in your garage and even inside certain areas of your house.
Even in a detached garage, you should always have the garage door open when running a vehicle. Additionally, you should have your exhaust system checked once a year for any potential leaks that could cause a CO buildup inside the car.
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