What should you do? Symptoms of CO poisoning
The
Proper installation, operation, and maintenance The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar
of fuel-burning appliances in the home is the to the 铿倁 (but without the fever) They include:
most important factor in reducing the risk of CO
鈥? Headache
poisoning.
鈥? Fatigue
鈥淚nvisible鈥?
Make sure appliances are installed according to 鈥? Shortness of breath
the manufacturer鈥檚 instructions and the local 鈥? Nausea
codes. Most appliances should be installed by 鈥? Dizziness
professionals.
If you suspect that you are experiencing CO
KILLER
Always follow the appliance manufacturer鈥檚 poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Leave the
directions for safe operation. home and call for assistance from a neighbor鈥檚
home. You could lose consciousness and die from
Have the heating system (including chimneys CO poisoning if you stay in the home.
and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a
trained service technician. Get medical attention immediately and inform
medical sta铿? that CO poisoning is suspected. Call
Examine vents and chimneys regularly for the Fire Department to determine when it is safe
improper connections, visible cracks, rust or to reenter the home.
stains.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the 鈥渋nvisible鈥?
Look for problems that could indicate improper
killer. Carbon monoxide is a colorless
appliance operations:
and odorless gas. Every year more than
鈥? Decreased hot water supply
100 people in the United States die from
鈥? Furnace unable to heat house or runs
unintentional exposure to carbon monoxide
continuously
鈥? Sooting, especially on appliances and vents associated with consumer products.
鈥? Unfamiliar, or burning odor
鈥? Increased moisture inside of windows
What is carbon monoxide?
Operate portable generators outdoors and away To report a dangerous product or
from open doors, windows, and vents that could Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuel.
a product related injury, call CPSC鈥檚
allow CO to come indoors. Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance in your
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or
home is a potential CO source.
CPSC teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270.
In addition, install battery-operated CO alarms or Consumers can obtain recall
plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your When cooking or heating appliances are kept
information at CPSC鈥檚 web site at
home. Every home should have a CO alarm in in good working order, they produce little CO.
http://www.cpsc.gov. Consumers
the hallway near the bedrooms in each separate Improperly operating appliances can produce fatal
can report product hazards
sleeping area. The CO alarms should be certi铿乪d CO concentrations in your home.
to info@cpsc.gov.
to the requirements of the most recent UL, IAS,
Running a car or generator in an attached garage
or CSA standard for CO alarms. Test your CO
can cause fatal CO poisoning in the home. So can
alarms frequently and replace dead batteries. A
running a generator or burning charcoal in the
CO alarm can provide added protection, but is no
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission basement, crawlspace, or living area of the home.
substitute for proper installation, use and upkeep
Washington, DC 20207
of appliances that are potential CO sources.
CPSC-464
Sources of and Loose or disconnected Loose masonry
Clues to a Possible vent/chimney connections on chimney
Carbon Monoxide
(CO) Problem Moisture
Room inside of
heater windows
Sooting
Debris or soot
Malfunctioning
falling from chimney,
range
fireplace or appliance
Fireplace
CO from using a charcoal grill, Foil on bottom of gas oven Rusting or water streaking
or exhaust from an auto on vent/chimney
Malfunctioning
or generator in a garage
water heater
Generator exhaust in home,
basement or crawlspace
Loose or missing Malfunctioning
furnace panel furnace
Carbon monoxide clues you can see... 鈥? Improper burner adjustments using fans will NOT prevent CO build-up in
鈥? Hidden blockage or damage in chimneys the home. When running a generator outdoors,
鈥? Rusting or water streaking on vent/chimney keep it away from open windows and doors.
鈥? Loose or missing furnace panel Only a trained service technician can detect 鈥? Never burn charcoal in homes, tents, vehicles,
鈥? Sooting hidden problems and correct these conditions! or garages.
鈥? Debris or soot falling from chimney, 铿乺eplace, 鈥? Never install or service combustion appliances
鈥? CO poisoning symptoms have been
or appliances without proper knowledge, skills, and tools.
experienced when you are home, but they
鈥? Loose or disconnected vent/chimney, 铿乺eplace 鈥? Never use a gas range, oven, or dryer for
lessen or disappear when you are away from
or appliance heating.
home.
鈥? Loose masonry on chimney 鈥? Never put foil on bottom of a gas oven because
鈥? Moisture inside of windows it interferes with combustion.
Warnings... 鈥? Never operate an unvented gas-burning
Carbon monoxide clues you cannot see... appliance in a closed room or in a room in
鈥? Never leave a car running in a garage even with
which you are sleeping.
the garage door open.
鈥? Internal appliance damage or malfunctioning
鈥? Never run a generator in the home, garage, or
components
crawlspace. Opening doors and windows or
|