Carbon monoxide safety

Carbon monoxide comes from burning fuel in things like furnaces, gas stoves, water heaters, fireplaces, cars, grills, and generators. Breathing it in can make you very sick or kill you. People who are asleep or have been drinking can die before they notice any symptoms.

Signs of CO poisoning

CO symptoms are often called “flu-like”: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

What to do

1. Get everyone out into fresh air right away, including pets. Don’t stop to open windows.
2. Call 911 from outside, or from a neighbor’s home.
3. Stay out until emergency responders say it is safe to go back in.
4. Get the source fixed by a qualified technician before using it again.

Prevention

• Install CO alarms on every level of your home and near every sleeping area. Choose alarms with battery backup.
• Test them monthly. Check the batteries when you change your clocks in spring and fall. Replace each alarm as the manufacturer instructs, or every 5 years (CDC advice).
• Run generators outside only, more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Never run one in a home, garage, basement, or shed, even with the door open.
• Never use a grill, camp stove, or charcoal indoors, or in a garage or tent.
• Never heat your home with a gas oven or stove.
• Never leave a car running in a garage, even with the garage door open.
• Have your furnace, water heater, and other gas, oil, or coal appliances checked by a professional every year.
• After snowstorms, clear snow away from dryer, furnace, and car exhaust vents.