Carbon Monoxide Safety

Information About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas.
It is produced by incomplete combustion of fuels. This would include natural gas, propane gas, oil, gasoline, diesel, wood, fuels, and the running of automobiles and smoking cigarettes.

Carbon Monoxide reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen by reacting with oxygen-carrying portion of the blood. Due to its nature it rapidly displaces oxygen in the bloodstream.
The effects of Carbon Monoxide are dependent on both Carbon Monoxide concentration and length of exposure.
Carbon Monoxide is undetectable by humans.
Low levels of exposure can be hazardous to children, infants, the unborn, the elderly, and those with heart or lung disease.

A mild exposure can cause nausea, headache, and symptoms can often be mistaken for common illness such as the flu or cold.
A medium exposure can cause severe headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate, increased respirations and cherry red lips.
An extreme exposure can cause unconsciousness, convulsions, cardio-respiratory failure, and death.

Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be caused by improper installation, use, and operation of fuel combustion devices.
Some combustion devices require a vent. Proper size and operation is needed for safe application
Fresh or make up air is needed for complete combustion

Furnace connections to chimneys that have rust, corrosion, gaps, holes or obstructions
Furnace filters obstructed with dirt or other blockages
Outside venting systems with cracks, corrosion, holes, debris or other blockages
Fireplaces with closed, blocked, or bent flues, soot or other debris or animal nests
Running automobiles in side of garages even with the doors open
Use of un-vented kerosene heaters. they are not only illegal but dangerous
Fresh make up air not provided when using any fuel-burning appliance or heater.
Use of liquid fuel construction heaters
Cooking on un-vented stoves
Down drafts in chimneys
Entry doors and other openings to attached garages
Use of barbecue grills indoors
Cloths dryer vents with blockage of lint buildup