If you have a fuel-burning heater, you need a carbon monoxide detector.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that’s odorless, colorless, and lethal.
Don’t wait until you notice your family feeling unusually tired and experiencing headaches on a chilly evening.
Be vigilant and prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside your home.
What is Carbon Monoxide, and Why is it Dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that poses significant health risks when inhaled.
It is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels such as:
- natural gas
- gasoline
- coal
- wood
- charcoal
- oil
- propane
- methane
Carbon monoxide impedes the blood’s capacity to carry oxygen to cells, tissues, and vital organs, which is why a CO poisoning symptom is excessive tiredness.
It binds with hemoglobin in the blood, forming carboxyhemoglobin.
Over time, or through high levels of exposure, this results in severe damage to the heart and brain, ultimately leading to death.
Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are commonly mistaken for the flu or a common cold, which can lead to tragic misdiagnoses.
Initial symptoms of exposure include:
- persistent headaches
- dizziness
- feelings of nausea
As exposure increases, the symptoms escalate to:
- breathlessness
- excessive tiredness
- confusion
In severe cases, carbon monoxide poisoning leads to collapse and loss of consciousness.
Detecting Carbon Monoxide in Your Home
Since it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless, carbon monoxide is impossible to detect without a CO detector.
These detectors measure the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air and alert you before these levels become hazardous.
They’ll usually sound 4 beeps for levels as low as 50 ppm after a few hours and more quickly for higher levels like 100 ppm.
Some smoke detectors are also carbon monoxide detectors, but check the back of the device for model numbers and labels that confirm this.
Install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, including the basement and near any major appliances that burn fuel.
Place them near bedrooms to alert you during sleep, when most carbon monoxide exposure deaths occur.
What to Do if Your Carbon Monoxide Detector Goes Off
The sound of a carbon monoxide detector alarm is not to be taken lightly.
If this alarm activates, here’s what to do:
Ventilate Immediately
Before you do anything else, open all doors and windows wide to help dilute the carbon monoxide levels indoors.
Turn Off All Combustion Appliances
Safely shut down any fuel-burning appliance if it is possible and safe to do so.
This includes gas heaters, boilers, stoves, ovens, and any other appliances that could be contributing to carbon monoxide production.
Evacuate the Premises
Promptly leave the house, ensuring that everyone in the home is accounted for.
This includes pets, as they are also at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Do not stop to gather belongings; exit the house immediately to a safe location where fresh air is available.
Call for Help from a Safe Location
Once outside and in fresh air, contact emergency services or a qualified technician to inspect your home.
Use your cell phone or a neighbor’s phone outside the house.
Do Not Re-Enter the Home
Stay out of the property until emergency responders have given you the all-clear.
Seek Medical Attention
If anyone exhibits symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical attention immediately, even if the symptoms are mild.
Necessary Maintenance to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Leaks
To safeguard your household against carbon monoxide poisoning, maintain a regimen of annual maintenance for all fuel-burning appliances in your home, like:
- heating units that burn fuel
- water heaters
- any gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances
These checks include:
- A detailed examination of the furnaces’ heat exchangers and burners, which develop cracks with age.
- Such cracks allow carbon monoxide to escape into your home instead of being vented outside.
- Flue and chimney inspections for blockages, such as bird nests, debris, or soot buildup, which restrict the flow of exhaust gasses out of your home.
- Carbon monoxide detector tests to ensure your first line of defense against CO poisoning is always active. You should do this on your own every month.
- Battery replacements annually or as needed, and detector replacements according to the manufacturer’s recommendations—typically every five to seven years.
Stay Safe from Carbon Monoxide with Kauffman Gas
Commit to routine inspections and create a secure living environment for your family.
Kauffman Gas is dedicated to providing expert furnace services and comprehensive carbon monoxide safety checks.
Contact us for a detailed furnace inspection and maintenance service that’ll give you peace of mind this winter and throughout the year.
FAQs
Can you save someone from carbon monoxide poisoning?
Yes, with immediate action.
- remove the person from the exposure area to fresh air
- call emergency services
- begin CPR if they are not breathing
Administering oxygen as soon as possible is crucial, as it helps displace carbon monoxide from the bloodstream.
How to tell if carbon monoxide is in your house?
Use a carbon monoxide detector. Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it’s impossible to detect without this device. Signs like sudden dizziness, nausea, and confusion among household members can also indicate carbon monoxide presence.
What household items put off carbon monoxide?
Common household items that can emit carbon monoxide include:
- gas stoves
- water heaters
- furnaces
- fireplaces
- any appliance that burns fuel like wood, charcoal, oil, propane, or natural gas
Faulty or poorly ventilated equipment increases the risk of carbon monoxide buildup in your home.
What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Look out for persistent headaches and dizziness, often accompanied by nausea. These symptoms may resemble the flu but usually improve when you are outside or away from the source of carbon monoxide, making them crucial to recognize for prompt action.