Carbon Monoxide Safety

Top 10

DOs and DON'Ts

of Carbon Monoxide Safety

    The gas Carbon Monoxide (CO) is odorless, colorless, tasteless -- and poisonous.  Nearly 1800 people die each year from CO exposure, and about 10,000 more seek medical attention for it.  Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning, but infants, children, senior citizens and people with coronary or respiratory problems stand the greatest risk.

    CO is a by-product of combustion, which means it is emitted when any fuel is burned.  Natural gas, propane, coal, fuel oil, gasoline and other all emit CO gas when they burn.  Even some home appliances can give off toxic -- even deadly -- levels of CO.  These include wood- or coal-burning stoves, natural or propane gas strove, heaters, grills, furnaces, hot water heaters, clothes dryers and automobiles -- anything that burns fuel.

    How sill you know if CO is present in your home?   You won't without a CO detector.  Every home should have at least one detector installed near sleeping areas.  For added protection, install a second unit at least 15 feet from the furnace.  the symptoms of CO poisoning resemble the flu, but with no temperature.  dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache and irregular breathing are all symptoms of CO poisoning.  You should be concerned if you have any of these symptoms and they disappear when you leave your home, only to  return when you return home.

    Follow our guide to reduce the chances of CO poisoning.  If your CO detector sounds, call 9-1-1 immediately and leave the house.

DO:

• Have your heating system, including chimney and vents, serviced by a licensed technician each year.

• Have your chimney checked and cleaned if you use a wood- or coal-burning stove.

• Install one , preferably two CO detectors in you home.  Read, understand and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation.

• Test your CO detectors on a regular basis to ensure they are working properly.

• Provide some ventilation in the winter, ever if it's just a slightly open window.

• Ensure that fuel-burning appliances are installed only by qualified technicians.

• read, understand and follow the manufacturer's directions for all fuel-burning appliances in your home.

• Service your motor vehicle on a regular basis to keep it running correctly.

• Seek medical attention and call 9-1-1 if you feel any of the symptoms of CO poisoning.

• Dial 9-1-1 and evacuate your home immediately if you CO detector sounds.  Leave your doors and windows closed so we can more accurately determine if CO is present.

DON'T

• EVER heat your home with the oven or range burner.

• Install CO detectors that do not meet the requirements of UL 2034.

• Idle your automobile, even for a minute, in your garage.

• self-service fuel-burning appliances. Do engage a licensed, trained technician.

• Attempt to bypass a safety device on any fuel-burning appliance.

• Ignore a smell of fuel.  This indicates a problem with the appliance or a leak in the fuel system.

• Run snow-blowers, lawn mowers or similar appliances inside your garage.

• Use gas or charcoal grills inside a garage.

• Ignore a CO alarm.

• Drive a vehicle with a defective or leaking exhaust system.

If you would like a copy of the Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts of Carbon Monoxide Safety,  free of charge, stop by Fire Headquarters, 11 Broadway, during normal business hours.

Sources:

• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• First Alert

The Top 10 DOs and DONTs of Carbon Monoxide Safety is Copyright 1997 by Message Management.  Anyone         interested in obtaining information on distributing this brochure by their organization may do so by contacting the North Haven Professional Firefighters Association.