by Terri Wiebold

The Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that more than 1,500 Americans die annually and an additional 10,000 Americans seek medical attention for carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is extremely toxic to humans and animals. CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas, propane, oil, coal and wood. Home heating and cooking appliances can produce CO if they are damaged, not maintained properly, or misused. Vehicles produce carbon monoxide that is expelled from their exhaust system.

Why is CO dangerous to me?

Unlike carbon dioxide (which is relatively harmless and is naturally present in the air), carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in our blood. It does this by attaching to the hemoglobin more readily than oxygen and essentially starves our cells and organs of its food source. Once CO attaches to your hemoglobin, it can take up to four months for it to flush out of your system.

What are the Signs/Symptoms of CO poisoning?

Flu-like symptoms are an early indication of CO poisoning. As your body takes in more CO and you become starved of oxygen you may become dizzy, restless, have mental confusion, severe headaches, fainting, and your skin may become bright red in color. CO poisoning can and will eventually lead to death if the signs/symptoms are not recognized and those exposed do not leave the area of high CO concentration.

What Do I do if I believe I have CO poisoning?

Leave the area of high CO concentration immediately and seek medical assistance. If you are in the latter stages of poisoning and are, in fact, dizzy or confused, do not drive to the hospital. Instead, call 911 or have someone else drive you for medical care. Driving while in the latter stages of CO poisoning is no different than driving while under the influence of alcohol as it lowers your response time and ability to reason.

How can I protect myself?

The best way to not get CO poisoning is to check and properly maintain all appliances and vehicles that use the fuels mentioned above. If older furnaces or gas stoves are present in a home, make sure that they are checked by a certified heating specialist or your local gas company to make sure they are operating properly. Check the color of the pilot light; if it is orange or dull red than you need more “make-up air” for proper combustion. It should normally be blue. Finally, check all heater flues, chimneys, and smoke stacks for leaks and make sure they are cleaned each year to allow proper exhaustion of combustion gases.

Regarding vehicles, never allow them to warm up in the garage with the garage door shut. In fact, the best place to warm your vehicle is outside of the garage altogether.

Do not use propane burners or barbeques in closed areas or garages even with the doors open. Finally, Purchase and install a CO detector in your home.

What does a CO detector do?

Carbon monoxide detectors measure the amount of CO gas that has accumulated in a house. When the amount reaches a predetermined level, an alarm sounds.

Where should I install my CO detector?

Avoid placing CO detectors on ceilings by smoke detectors. Also avoid utility rooms where the furnace is and in garages where vehicles are parked. Finally, avoid drafty areas such as near a window, doorway, or in a hallway.

The best place to mount your detector is in the central area of your house where you spend the most time (i.e. family room, dining room, den) and install at least one on each floor of the house. If you have a baby or small children, mount a detector in individual bedrooms, as this population is more susceptible to CO poisoning.

What should I do if my CO detector goes off?

Know what sounds your CO detector makes. Usually they make short, “chirping” sounds indicating a low battery and a long, continuous alarm sound for an actual alarm. Either alarm requires your immediate attention.

Whether you have a plug in type or battery type CO detector, when the battery is low you need to replace it immediately so as to keep the unit in operation at all times.

If you have an emergency alarm go off make sure all family members and pets vacate the premises immediately and call 911. Again, CO is odorless, tasteless, and invisible so you will not be able to determine if the alarm is false by using your senses. Once you call 911 the fire department will arrive on scene and use special monitors to determine if you have lethal amounts of CO in your house. Your local gas company may also arrive on scene to assist the fire department. Never reenter the house until a fire department or gas company official tells you it is okay to do so.

Where can I buy a CO detector?

Any local discount store, home improvement store, or at your local gas company. They will run approximately $25 to $60. South Metro Fire Rescue recommends purchasing CO detectors that plug into a wall outlet and have a battery backup as these detectors provide protection even during a power outage.

Remember, a CO detector is not a replacement for a smoke detector. Homes should still have one smoke detector on each floor of the house and in each sleeping room.

Easy Steps to Carbon Monoxide Safety:

Check the flame color of your gas appliances; Anything other than blue needs immediate attention.
Check all gas appliances annually or hire a certified contractor to perform an annual safety inspection.
Check all exhausts and flues from gas appliances or chimneys. These can become blocked by dirt, debris, leaves, animal nests, and snow.
Is anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms including fatigue, muscle pains, upset stomach, lethargy, dizziness, headaches or reddening of skin.
Do not operate any vehicles, gas BBQ’s or gas heaters in garages without adequate ventilation. Do not warm your vehicles in the garage.
Install a Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector. Maintain the detector annually with fresh batteries and cleaning.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding carbon monoxide or CO detectors, call the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority at 720-488-7200.