Protect Your Family From
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

You probably couldn’t guess from the scratch and sniff because carbon monoxide has no odor, color or taste, but is a deadly gas. At lower levels of concentration it causes health problems. The initial symptoms are similar to the flu without the fever. They include dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea and irregular breathing. If you have any of these symptoms and if you feel better when you go outside your home and the symptoms reappear once you’re back inside, you may have carbon monoxide poisoning.

Burning any fuel can produce carbon monoxide. Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance in your home is a potential carbon monoxide source. When appliances are kept in good working condition, they produce little carbon monoxide. Improperly operating appliances can produce fatal carbon monoxide concentrations in your home. Likewise, using charcoal indoors or running a car in a garage can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

To protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning, check the following items.

• Check furnace filters and fireplaces for dirt, soot or other blockages.
• Check the clothes dryer vent opening outside the house to be sure its free of any blockage such as lint or debris.
• Have a qualified professional check all fuel-burning appliances, furnace venting and chimney systems at least once a year or as recommended by the manufacturer for blockage, cracks, corrosion and proper adjustment.
• Use only vented space heaters. Unvented space heaters that run on flammable fuels such as kerosene or gas can release carbon monoxide into the home.
• Make sure all appliances are well maintained. Pilot lights can be a source of carbon monoxide. Gas burner flames should be blue, not yellow.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector with an audible alarm near the bedroom area.