Reminder: Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can deprive the body and literally take your breath away. All homes should have CO detectors on all levels of the house, and especially near the sleeping areas. Exposure can produce headaches, sleepiness, fatigue, confusion and irritability at low levels. At higher levels, it can result in nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, impaired vision and coordination and death.

Be aware of potential sources of carbon monoxide including unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, gas water heaters, wood stoves, furnaces and gas stoves. Other common sources are blocked chimneys that are supposed to vent furnaces and fireplaces, and automobile exhaust from attached or unvented garages when vehicles are being warmed up inside the garage.

• Open chimney flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Inspect and clean chimneys every year.
• Do not idle the car inside the garage.
• Use the correct fuel in kerosene heaters.
• Never use charcoal indoors or in areas without adequate ventilation.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up central heating systems like the furnace every year.
• Gas appliances must have adequate ventilation to prevent CO from accumulating.
• Have operational CO detectors on all levels of your home, and especially near the sleeping areas. If the detector is battery-operated, change the batteries whenever you change the smoke detectors’ batteries, i.e. twice a year – when the time changes.

SOURCE: Somerville, NJ Health Department