Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. It is undetectable by humans but can be deadly if inhaled. It’s produced in the burning process with gas, oil, wood — pretty much anything flammable.
Our stoves and furnaces are vented to prevent carbon monoxide from entering our homes, but sometimes appliances are faulty or the venting is blocked. The most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is human error. Burning things inside that are only meant for outside is usually the cause. More than 400 Americans die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning in the home.
Protect your family from carbon monoxide by being aware of how it can enter your home. Know of the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, and follow these safety tips to prevent accidental poisoning or death.
Know the Signs of Exposure
Carbon monoxide can kill you in your sleep without you ever being aware of it. It’s a morbid thought, but an unfortunate reality. That’s why it’s so important to prevent it from entering your home in the first place.
But it’s also a good idea to know the signs of exposure. If all of a sudden you have a headache or feel dizzy, confused or nauseated, you could be suffering from carbon monoxide exposure. See if others are feeling the same way, and get outside for some fresh air.
Call 911 in this scenario, and don’t go back into the house until the authorities assure you it is safe.
Purchase an Alarm
Even though we can’t smell or see carbon monoxide, technology has made it possible for us to detect carbon monoxide in our homes. For a small investment, you can purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors.
Install your detector in a hallway near the bedrooms of your house. Have another in the basement where your furnace usually runs. One detector per floor is adequate.
Test your alarm regularly and replace the batteries twice per year. A convenient method is to change the batteries when you adjust the clocks. You could also choose to change them on the New Year and after the 4th of July. Just select a convenient time that you will remember.
If your alarm goes off, get everyone out of the house. Open up the windows and let fresh air in. It’s best to stay outside until authorities arrive and inspect your home. However, there may be times when alarms malfunction and go off for no reason. Use your judgment and err on the side caution.
Prevent Exposure
Accidents happen, but human error is often at fault for carbon monoxide exposure. Have your furnace or any other fuel-burning appliance inspected regularly. Check vents and chimneys for blockages. Birds often make their nests inside vents they can get into. In addition, here are several “don’ts” you should adhere to in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Do not:
- Operate a motor vehicle or machine in an enclosed garage: Carbon monoxide can get trapped inside, contaminate the garage and potentially enter your house through the attached wall. Don’t start any machines without first opening the garage door.
- Use outdoor appliances inside: This rule includes kerosene space heaters and charcoal grills, which are not vented and are meant only for outdoor use. Don’t use charcoal indoors either. Charcoal produces carbon monoxide when burned and should never be burned in a fireplace or inside any enclosure.
- Use your gas stove to heat your home: The heat produced inside your stove is meant to stay inside to cook food, and it’s vented to the outside. If it’s burning for a long period of time with the stove door open, you risk carbon monoxide exposure as well as a fire in your house. This tragedy is all too common for people who are unable to pay their heating bills and resort to these measures to stay warm.
- Run a generator inside your house or near a window: Generators produce high levels of carbon monoxide and need to operate far away from your living space. You don’t want to restore power only to find out you poisoned your family.
Our furnaces and appliances make our lives much more comfortable. But we have to make sure we’re using them the right way and taking care of them so that they operate properly. Improper operation exposes us to unhealthy conditions and potential carbon monoxide poisoning.
Since we’re used to simply pushing buttons or twisting dials to produce heat, we don’t think about the burning and venting process and how important it is. It’s easy to make mistakes, but fortunately, it’s just as easy to prevent them.
We don’t need to worry unnecessarily about carbon monoxide poising in our homes. We just have to be aware of how it happens and how to prevent it. By taking these safety precautions and installing a few good carbon monoxide alarms, you can sleep peacefully at night knowing your family is safe from harm.
