Safety tips

Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and a headache ... they sound like symptoms of the common flu. Unfortunately, they are also early symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This deadly gas is hard to detect because it is odorless, colorless and tasteless. UL, one of the world's most recognized product safety organizations, recommends following these guidelines to protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide.

Installation of a carbon monoxide alarm

• Install a UL-LISTED CO detector outside each sleeping area. Purchase and install UL-LISTED CO alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement and any other locations required by applicable laws; be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before installing the alarm.
• A CO alarm will sound before dangerous levels of CO accumulate. CO indicator cards and other devices are also intended to detect elevated levels of CO, but most are not equipped with an audible alarm, and cannot wake you at night, when most CO poisonings occur.
• Do not place the alarm within five feet of household chemicals. If your alarm is wired directly into your home's electrical system, you should test it monthly. If your unit operates off of a battery, test the alarm monthly and replace the battery at least once a year.
• Avoid placing your alarm directly on top of or across from fuel-burning appliances. These appliances will emit some CO when initially turned-on.

Know how to respond to a CO alarm's alert

• If your alarm sounds, immediately open windows and doors for ventilation and move to a fresh air location outdoors. Make sure everyone from inside the home is accounted for. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
• If anyone in the home is experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning -- headache, dizziness or other flu-like symptoms -- immediately evacuate the house, call the fire department and seek medical attention.
• If no one is experiencing these symptoms, continue to ventilate, turn off fuel-burning appliances and call a qualified technician to inspect your heating system and appliances as soon as possible.
• Do not operate any fuel-burning appliances until you have clearly identified the source of the problem.
• A CO alarm's alert indicates elevated levels of CO in the home. Never ignore the alarm.

In addition to installing CO alarms throughout your home, make sure to:

• Have a qualified technician inspect fuel-burning appliances once each year. Fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, hot water heaters and stoves require yearly maintenance. Over time, components can become damaged or deteriorate. A qualified technician can identify and repair problems with your fuel-burning appliances.
• Be alert to the danger signs that signal a CO problem, such as:
  • streaks of carbon or soot around the service door of your fuel-burning appliances;
  • the absence of a draft in your chimney;
  • excessive rusting on flue pipes or appliance jackets;
  • moisture collecting on the windows and walls of furnace rooms;
  • fallen soot from the fireplace;
  • small amounts of water leaking from the base of the chimney, vent or flue pipe;
  • damaged or discolored bricks at the top of your chimney and rust on the portion of the vent pipe visible from outside your home.
• Be aware that CO poisoning may be the cause of flu-like symptoms such as headaches, tightness of chest, dizziness, fatigue, confusion and breathing difficulties. Because CO poisoning often causes a victim's blood pressure to rise, the victim's skin may take on a pink or red cast.

Ways to prevent CO poisoning

• Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skills and tools.
• Never use charcoal grills inside a home, tent, camper or unventilated garage.
• Don't leave vehicles running in an enclosed garage, even to "warm up" your car on a cold morning.
• Never operate a portable generator or any other gasoline powered tool in or near an enclosed space where CO can get trapped.
• Never use gas appliances (ranges, ovens, dryers) to help heat your home.