Protecting Against Carbon Monoxide in Your Home

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Protecting Against Carbon Monoxide in Your Home
Sarah Kirby, PhD Sandy Wiggins, EdD North
Carolina Cooperative Extension
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What is Carbon Monoxide?
CO

• Deadly, poisonous gas
• Cant see, taste, feel or smell
• Produced by incomplete combustion of fuel burning
  devices

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Whats the problem with CO?

• 500 unintentional deaths each year in US
• CO exposure accounts for approximately 15,000
  emergency department visits yearly
• Survivors of CO poisoning can suffer from brain
  damage, loss of sight or hearing, or heart
  problems

CDC, 2007
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Where Does CO Come From?

• Gas oil furnaces, boilers, water heaters
• Wood burning fireplaces and stoves
• Gas appliances (ovens, stoves, dryers)
• Gas and kerosene space heaters
• Gas and charcoal grills

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Where Does CO Come From?

• Cars, trucks, campers, and other vehicles
• Gas and liquid propane fueled equipment
• Recreational vehicles
• Tobacco smoke, house fires
• Blocked chimneys and flues

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What are the signs of CO poisoning?

• Sleepiness
• Tightness in chest
• Trouble breathing
• Changes in senses
• All of these are flu- like symptoms

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Tiredness
• Weakness

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How Can I Protect Myself and My Family?

• Never use charcoal grills or run engines inside
  home, garage, or basement
• Never warm up vehicle in garage

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How Can I Protect Myself and My Family?

• Keep chimney and wood burning stove in good
  working order
• Have furnace, chimney and gas appliances checked
• Use kerosene , gas heaters and vent-free
  fireplaces carefully -- follow instructions and
  open window

Chimney
Gas Heater
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How Can I Protect Myselfand My Family?

• Use kitchen exhaust fan when using oven
• Never use a kitchen stove or oven for heat

Kitchen exhaust vent
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How Can I Protect Myselfand My Family?

• Make certain gas appliances burn correctly
• Dont use a smoking fireplace

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Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• At least one for every household
• Near sleeping areas and on each floor of your
  home
• Sounds an alarm when CO becomes too high,
  purchase one that records peak loads
• Battery operated, or battery backup
• Do not install above or directly beside
  fuel-burning appliances

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If CO Alarm Sounds

• Get outside right away
• Call 911 from phone outside your home
• Have home checked by qualified heating/appliance
  technician
• Dont go back into the home until all problems
  are fixed

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You can protect you and your family from CO