What it is

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning. It kills hundreds of people every year and sickens thousands more.

Many household items, including gas and oil-burning stoves, portable generators and charcoal grills, produce this poisonous gas.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like”.

If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are asleep, drunk, or under the influence of other drugs can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.

Risk factors

Everyone is at risk of CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO.

Each year, more than 400 Americans die from accidental CO poisoning unrelated to fires, more than 100,000 visit an emergency room, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.

Reduces risk

CO is found in vapors produced whenever you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas stoves or ovens. CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who inhale it. However, you can reduce your risk of CO poisoning with a few small steps.

CO detectors

Install battery-operated or battery-backed CO detectors near all sleeping areas in your home.

Check CO detector batteries when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall to make sure they are working properly.

Consider purchasing a detector with a digital readout. This type of detector can tell you the highest level of CO concentration in your home, in addition to sounding an alarm.

Replace your CO detector according to the manufacturer’s instructions or every 5 years. Set a reminder on your smartphone or other device’s calendar when you purchase and install the detector.

Oil and gas stoves and other household appliances

Have your heating system, water heater and other gas, oil or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

Make sure your gas appliances are properly vented. Horizontal vent pipes for appliances, such as a water heater, should rise slightly as they head outdoors, as shown below. This prevents CO from leaking if the joints or pipes are not fitted tightly.

When purchasing gas equipment, only purchase equipment that bears the seal of a national testing agency, such as Underwriters’ Laboratories.

If you smell an odor coming from your gas refrigerator, have it serviced by an expert. A smell from your gas refrigerator may mean that it is leaking CO.

Never heat your house with a gas stove. Do not cook or burn anything on a stove or fireplace that is not vented.

Chimneys, charcoal and portable appliances

Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can become blocked by dirt, which can cause CO to build up in your home or cabin.

Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal – red, grey, black or white – emits CO.

Never use a portable gas stove indoors. Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.

Portable generators

Never use a generator in your home or garage, even if the doors and windows are open.

Only use generators outside, more than 20 feet away from windows, doors and vents.

When using a generator, use a battery-operated or battery-backup CO detector in your home.

Automobile

Have a mechanic check the exhaust system on your car or truck every year. A small leak in the exhaust system can lead to a build-up of CO inside the car.

Never drive your car or truck inside a garage attached to a house, even with the garage door open. Always open the door to a detached garage to let in fresh air when driving a car or truck inside.

If you drive a car or SUV with a tailgate, open the vents or windows when you open the tailgate to ensure air moves through. If only the tailgate is open, CO from the exhaust will be drawn into the car or SUV.