What Should You Know About Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a naturally occurring gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. Alter the chemical compound to carbon monoxide (CO) and you have a “silent killer” on your hands. CO poisoning is a serious concern in homes and commercial buildings. Much like CO2, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, but the inhalation of CO is incredibly dangerous to the health of humans and our pets.

What do you need to know about this gas to avoid CO exposure?

What Causes CO Poisoning?

The most common source of CO poisoning in your home is your heat source. Home appliances that use combustion fumes release carbon monoxide, such as burning charcoal or wood, stoves, water heaters and heating systems.

When the gas is safely vented, you generally don’t have much to worry about. However, it’s important to have your systems inspected regularly and have a working CO detector installed in the event of a leak.

What Are Its Effects?

According to the CDC, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not caused by fires each year. There are also more than 20,000 ER visits and over 4,000 hospitalizations annually.

Unfortunately, you could have no idea CO is present until it’s too late. Symptoms come on suddenly, including headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, confusion, nausea and trouble breathing. In the most extreme cases, seizures, coma, brain swelling and death can occur.

How does CO poisoning affect us? In simple terms, the gas prevents blood from transporting oxygen to the rest of the body. If someone is exposed to carbon monoxide, call 911 right away and move him or her outdoors into the fresh air. When the paramedics arrive, they will administer oxygen to help regulate the levels in the blood.

Steps to Prevent CO Poisoning

The first line of defense is to install a carbon monoxide detector. This device works like your smoke detector, alerting you when unsafe levels are present. While CO detectors should be replaced every five years, you should regularly test to make sure it’s working. What else can you do to prevent CO poisoning?

• Never leave a vehicle running in an enclosed space like a garage.
• Do not burn charcoal or use generators indoors. Generators should be kept at least 20 feet away from the property.
• Schedule a yearly chimney inspection to remove debris and CO buildup.
• Keep heat sources in good working condition with regular HVAC maintenance.

To have your furnace, boiler or another heat source inspected by an HVAC professional, contact M.J. Fahy & Sons today!