What Every Homeowner Should Know About Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Known in medical circles as the silent killer, because the gas carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Almost five hundred residents of the United States are killed from carbon monoxide poisoning. Many deaths and hospital visits could be eliminated if households knew what to or what not to do in their homes.

Do

-Install a carbon monoxide detector near all sleeping spaces. Look for brands that offer battery back up.

-Evacuate a home when a detector sounds. Call 911 once outside.

-Remember that winter months are the high season for carbon monoxide poisonings. Closed up, under-ventilated homes foster carbon monoxide build-up.

-Crack windows even a half-inch during winter. It could be enough to save your family.

-Have all gas appliances checked annually. This includes: hot water heaters, cooking stoves, fireplaces, and furnaces.

Don’t

-Overlook oil and coal burning fireplaces and furnaces or appliances. If it burns a fossil fuel it could be a carbon monoxide hazard.

-Run your car, lawn mowers, snow blowers or other gas powered motors in a closed garage. Always take outside.

-Use charcoal-burning grills inside your home or any unventilated space, including basements.

-Burn anything in any unventilated fireplace or wood stove.

-Use a gas-cooking stove to heat your home.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

-Nausea, headache and dizziness. Some say the common symptoms feel flu-like.

-Severe symptoms are: loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and loss of muscle control.

-If you only feel sick at home, it could be a sign that you have carbon monoxide present there. Have you home checked and purchase a detector without delay.