Each year in America, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning claims more than 200 lives and sends another 10,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.

The Malletts Bay Fire Department, United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself from deadly carbon monoxide fumes.

UNDERSTANDING THE RISK

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. It gets into your bloodstream and replaces the oxygen being carried by the hemoglobin. When this happens, your body does not get enough oxygen and illness or death is the result.

Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

CO gas can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces, and motor vehicles or small engines.

 Who is at risk?

Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Medical experts believe that unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart or lung problems are at even greater risk for CO poisoning.

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM CO POISONING

The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.  Install at least one UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Remember that CO is heavier than air and accumulates low, so be sure the detector is mounted low on a wall.  Smoke alarms need to be mounted high to detect the hot smoke and gasses of a fire.

Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present. It means you have to check the situation out.

Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.

Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.

Never keep a car or other engine running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.

When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house.

What to do if your carbon monoxide alarm goes off.

If no one is feeling ill:

Silence the alarm. Turn off all appliances and sources of combustion (i.e. furnace, fireplace, gas stove, running engines). Ventilate the house with fresh air by opening doors and windows. Call a qualified professional to investigate the source of the CO buildup.

If illness is a factor:

Evacuate all occupants immediately. Determine how many occupants are ill and determine their symptoms.

Call 911 and when relaying information to the dispatcher, include the number of people feeling ill. The Fire Department and Rescue Squad will be sent to check things out. The Fire Department has special training and air meters to search for the source of the CO.  Rescue will want to check the ill people out and possibly have a doctor examine them.

Do not re-enter the home without the approval of a fire department representative. If an appliance is found to be releasing CO, you will need to call a qualified professional to repair the source of the CO.