According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning claims the lives of more than 400 people annually in the United States and sends thousands more to emergency rooms.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless and colorless gas that is toxic to humans and animals. Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the silent killer because it cannot be seen, smelled, or heard. Because humans cannot detect CO with their senses, carbon monoxide can kill you before you are aware it is affecting you. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, low levels of CO exposure cause mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue.
Carbon monoxide may be generated from various sources including portable generators, unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, wood and gas stoves, charcoal grills, gas water heaters, motor vehicles, wood burning fireplaces, and generators. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. People and animals in these spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO.
A battery-powered or battery back-up CO detector can help save lives. It is recommended that you change the batteries in your CO detector every six months. Install at least one CO alarm with an audible warning alarm near the sleeping areas of your home. Ensure the alarm has been evaluated by a recognized laboratory, such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
The following safety tips are provided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC. For more detailed information, check out their web sites or read the EPA’s publication, “Care for Your Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality,” which may be found at the EPA.gov website.
- Have a qualified professional check all fuel-burning appliances and furnaces at least once per year.
- Never keep a motor vehicle running in the garage or an enclosed area.
- Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
- Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
- Keep vents and flues free of debris, especially if winds are high. Flying debris can block ventilation lines.
Information courtesy of Servpro of North Central Colorado Springs
