Carbon monoxide poisoning causes death or serious injury to thousands of people each year. Learn how to keep your family safe from dangerous levels of your carbon monoxide.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that kills without warning. It has no color, smell, or taste. Carbon monoxide can develop if a fuel--like gasoline--burns incompletely.
What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?
• Gas or oilances or appliances--like space heaters, dryers, stoves, fireplaces, and generators
• Charcoal Grills
• Tobacco Smoke
• Leaky Chimneys
• Automobile Exhaust
How can carbon monoxide harm my health?
Exposure to small amounts can cause:
• Fatigue
• Flu Like Symptoms
• Chest pain in people with heart disease
Exposure to large amounts of carbon monoxide can cause:
• Vision Problems
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Death
What should I do if I am exposed to carbon monoxide?
Go outdoors to breathe in fresh air!
• Call the fire department or 911
• See a doctor if any symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure occcur
• Have a qualified service technician check out and approve use before turning back on any fuel-burning appliance
How can I prevent carbon monoxide exposure?
• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Install and use an exhaust fan that vents outside above gas stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are use.
•Make sure doors on wood stoves fit tigthly.
• Do not leave the car running inside the garage.
• Pick properly-sized wood stoves that meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards.
How do I know if carbon monoxide levels are high?
Carbon monoxide alarms can help alert you to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Install, use, and maintain alarms based on manufacturer's instructions. It is important that that carbon monoxide alarms are in or near all sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
Do you have questions about carbon monoxide?
Call our FREE Safety Store Helpline at 317-274-6565. You can talk live with our staff Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for answers to your questions.
