Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced as a result of incomplete burning of carbon-containing fuels. Exposure to CO reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen.

Carbon monoxide exposures especially affect unborn babies, infants and people with anemia or a history of heart or respiratory disease.

Breathing low levels of CO can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic heart disease. Breathing higher levels of carbon monoxide causes flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and weakness in healthy people. Carbon monoxide also causes sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and disorientation. At very high levels, it causes loss of consciousness and death.

Steps To Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Your Home:

Make sure appliances are installed and working according to manufacturers' instructions and local building codes.

Have only a qualified technician install or convert fuel-burning equipment from one type to another.

Have the heating system, chimney and flue inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every year.

Do not use ovens and gas ranges to heat your home.

Do not burn charcoal inside a home, cabin, recreational vehicle or camper.

Do not operate gasoline-powered engines in confined areas such as garages or basements.

Never leave your car or mower running in a closed garage.

Make sure your furnace has adequate intake of outside air.

Choose vented appliances whenever possible.

Use kerosene space heaters and unvented gas heaters only in well ventilated rooms.

Install a carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm in your home and garage.

Any fuel-burning appliance that is not adequately vented and maintained can be a potential source of CO, including:

Gas appliances (furnaces, ranges, ovens, water heaters, clothes dryers, etc.).

Fireplaces, wood and coal stoves, space heaters.

Charcoal grills, automobile exhaust fumes, camp stoves, gas-powered lawn mowers, and power tools.

Cigarette smoke can also contain high levels of CO, as well as 200 other known poisons.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors Should:

Meet Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. standards.

Have a long-term warranty.

Be easily self-tested and reset to ensure proper functioning.

Be placed as close to sleeping areas as possible for maximum effectiveness during sleeping hours.