Carbon monoxide (CO) is created anytime a fuel such as
gasoline, oil, wood, or propane is burned, and can be
caused by many common household appliances. It is the
leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in North
America. Odorless, tasteless and invisible, the only safe
way to know if you are being poisoned is to install a
CO alarm on every level of your home and in sleeping areas.
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Facts
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CO is a produced anytime a fuel is burned.
Potential sources include gas or oil furnaces,
water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers,
barbecue grills, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves,
gas ovens, generators, and car exhaust fumes.
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Every year more than 10,000 people die or seek
medical attention due to CO poisoning from home-related
products. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)
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More than two-thirds of Americans use gas,
wood, kerosene or another fuel as their home's
major heat source.
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65% of CO poisoning deaths from consumer products
are due to heating systems.
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Only 27% of homes in America have carbon monoxide
alarms, according to the Hardware/Homecenter Research
Industry.
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An idling vehicle in an attached garage,
even with the garage door opened, can produce
concentrated amounts of CO that can enter
your home through the garage door or nearby
windows.
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CO poisoning deaths from portable generators
have doubled for the past two years, and many
of these deaths occurred in the winter months
and during power outages.
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A poorly maintained gas stove can give
off twice the amount of CO than one in good
working order.
Prevention
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Install at least one battery-powered CO
alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup
on each level of your home and near sleeping
areas.
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Do not use charcoal or gas grills inside
or operate outdoors near a window where CO
fumes could seep in through a window.
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Check all carbon monoxide alarms in your
home. Do they use the most accurate sensing
technology? Do they need new batteries?
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Replace CO alarms every five to seven years
in order to benefit from the latest technology
upgrades.
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Have a licensed professional inspect heating
systems and other fuel-burning appliances
annually.
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Install fuel-burning appliances properly
and operate according to the manufacturer's
instructions.
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Keep chimneys clear of animal nests,
leaves and residue to ensure proper venting.
Have all fireplaces cleaned and inspected
annually.
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Do not block or seal shut the exhaust
flues or ducts used by water heaters,
ranges and clothes dryers.
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Do not leave your car running in an
attached garage or carport.
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Do not use ovens or stoves to heat
your home.
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