CARBON MONOXIDE

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE?

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can pose a significant threat to health if left undiagnosed and untreated. Public awareness of this threat will reduce its incidence and save lives.

PREVENTION ANS SAFETY TIPS:

• Open garage door before starting fuel burning vehicles or equipment. Never leave running cars, trucks, vans, lawn mowers or any fuel burning equipment or tool in an enclosed area (even with the garage door open, CO can reach a harmful level and seep into your home).
• Be sure all fuel burning equipment is properly installed, adjusted, and operated so that adequate ventilation is provided.
• Burner flames on all appliances are correctly adjusted.
• Furnace and water heater are properly vented.
• Flue vents/chimneys are checked for blockages (leaves, bricks, mortar or bird nests).
• Have appliances installed by a professional, and carefully follow manufacturers' instructions.
• Do not cut off or restrict combustion air source to appliances (openings or ducts).
• Furnace, gas water heater and clothes dryer should be inspected regularly by a professional heating or appliance contractor.
• Provide adequate ventilation in your house when using any type of combustion materials in stoves, fireplaces, or unvented space heaters.
• Clean chimney and check for blockages, especially with fireplaces and wood burning stoves.
• Limit the smoking of tobacco products indoors, since the smoke contains carbon monoxide.
• For an extra measure of safety, consider purchasing an electronic carbon monoxide detector.

**Be sure the unit is listed in accordance with UL standard 2034, effective October, 1995.

WHAT IS CARBON MONOXIDE AND WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can be produced when a fuel (like gasoline, wood, coal, fuel oil, natural gas, kerosene, etc.) is burned. When inhaled, CO is very toxic because it combines with your blood and prevents your body from using oxygen.

Building Symptoms:

• Persistent stuffy, foul smelling, stale air that won't clear
• Smell of exhaust fumes
• No chimney draft or hot flue gases spilling from appliance into the home
• Yellow/orange flame on gas range, furnace or water heater burners
• Soot around outside of chimney, furnace or water heater flue vent, or fireplace
• Large areas of condensation of water vapor on walls or windows Sources of Carbon Monoxide

People Symptoms:

• Headaches
• Nausea, vomiting
• Irregular breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Dizziness
• Fatigue not feeling rested after sleep; weakness
• Headaches
• Confusion, memory loss, loss of coordination
• Blurred vision
• Feeling ill/tired at home but fine when away from home
• Loss of consciousness, coma
• Eventually, seizures, respiratory failure, cardiac arrest

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu like illnesses, and are often mix diagnosed. CO poisoning occurs more frequently in winter with heating systems operating and windows and doors closed. Likewise, more people suffer from colds and flu in the winter. Don't neglect these symptoms. If several family members experience the same illness with no improvement, ask your doctor if a test for CO poisoning is needed, or if health symptoms are caused by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Note: People with heart or lung conditions, children, the elderly, and pregnant women are more susceptible to CO poisoning.