How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in a Home

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that can leak from fuel-burning appliances. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, headaches and nausea. Carbon monoxide poisoning kills several thousand people a year. Those who do survive may have irreversible brain damage. Carbon monoxide detectors help make your home secure; but they can be unreliable and should not be your only defensive action. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Carbon monoxide detectors

1. Research carbon monoxide detectors available on the market. They vary in features, reliability and price. Purchase carbon monoxide detectors that are labeled with the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL) voluntary standard.
2. Install carbon monoxide detectors near bedrooms so the alarm can be heard while asleep. Most just plug into an electrical outlet and emit a high-pitched alarm, similar to a smoke detector, when a certain level of carbon monoxide is detected. More than one detector is better in case one malfunctions.
3. Check that heating systems are working properly at the beginning of each winter season. Older systems and newly installed systems are most likely to have leakage problems. Have heating systems installed and tested by a professional.
4. Make sure gas-burning appliances, including water heaters, ranges, ovens and dryers, are working properly at least once a year. Your local gas company may provide this service.
5. Inspect fireplaces before use each winter to make sure the chimney is clear and properly ventilating.

Tips & Warnings

• If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, immediately open windows and leave the house. Disorientation is a side effect that can prevent you from thinking clearly, so assume the worst and get out of the home.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning can be diagnosed with a blood test.
• Carbon monoxide detector technology is not as reliable as smoke detectors. The ones that show a reading of carbon monoxide levels are worth the extra money, so you can better determine if it's malfunctioning or not.
• If you have more than one carbon monoxide detector and only one goes off, don't assume that it is malfunctioning. Assume that the one not going off is malfunctioning.
• Do not leave a car running in a garage, even if the garage door is open. Carbon monoxide can leak into the house.
• Often times the early-warning signs are mistaken for the flu. Symptoms in a pet are a good indicator that it's not the flu.

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