What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colorless, and odorless gas that can accumulate inside your home. Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up when fuel-burning appliances or equipment are not installed, maintained, or vented properly. People and animals exposed to carbon monoxide can become seriously ill or worse.

Each year, about 50,000 people in the United States visit emergency departments because of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.* The good news is that carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable. Simple steps—such as installing carbon monoxide detectors and properly maintaining fuel-burning appliances—can help protect your household.

SJFD’s Fire Engineer Josh Padron shares why it's important to install both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
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Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide enters the body through breathing. Because the symptoms often resemble the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, carbon monoxide poisoning can be difficult to recognize. Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can quickly become life-threatening and may cause death within minutes.*

The effects of carbon monoxide exposure vary depending on a person's age, overall health, activity level, and the amount of carbon monoxide inhaled. Infants, pregnant women, older adults, and people with medical conditions that limit the body's ability to use oxygen are especially vulnerable and may experience more severe effects at lower concentrations. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result from breathing low levels over an extended period or high levels over a short period of time.**

Install Carbon monoxide Detectors

The best way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. These devices sound an alarm when they detect dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. They are affordable, easy to install, and can save lives.

• Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home. Install carbon monoxide detectors outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
• Install interconnected carbon monoxide detectors. Interconnected detectors provide added protection because all detectors in your home will sound if one detects carbon monoxide.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height. Install carbon monoxide detectors according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Test carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month. A non-working detector cannot protect your household. Test your carbon monoxide detector by pressing and holding the test button. If you do not hear anything or the sound is weak, replace the batteries or the detector as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Learn your carbon monoxide detector's beep patterns. Carbon monoxide detectors use different beep patterns to communicate whether there is an emergency, a need to replace batteries, or that the detector has reached the end of its service life. Read the manufacturer's instruction manual to learn what each sound means.
• Replace the batteries regularly. If your carbon monoxide detector uses replaceable batteries, follow the manufacturer's instructions for replacement. This is often once or twice a year. We recommend changing your carbon monoxide detector batteries at the same time you change your clocks for daylight saving time, making it easier to remember.
• Replace your carbon monoxide detectors every five to seven years.carbon monoxide detectors don't last forever. Follow the manufacturer’s replacement instructions.
• Don't forget to install smoke alarms. It is important to have both carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in your home. Combination carbon monoxide and smoke alarms are also available at many retail stores. If you have separate devices, make sure you know the sound each one makes.

If your carbon monoxide detector sounds, immediately move to fresh air and call 9-1-1. Move everyone outdoors to a fresh air location and stay outside until emergency personnel determine that it is safe to return to your home.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Tips

It is important to know which appliances in your home are fuel-burning and ensure they are properly maintained. All fuel-burning appliances should be properly vented to the outside.

• Never use generators, charcoal grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices indoors. Never use these appliances inside your home, basement, garage, camper, or tent. Carbon monoxide can quickly build up in enclosed spaces. Use these devices outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents.
• Do not run your car in the garage. If you need to warm up your vehicle, move it outside immediately after starting it. Opening the garage door does not provide enough ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
• Service your fuel-burning appliances. Have your heating system, water heater, and other fuel-burning appliances inspected and maintained by a qualified technician according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
• Have your chimney inspected every year. Chimneys can become blocked by debris, preventing proper ventilation and allowing carbon monoxide to build up inside your home.
• Never use a gas range or oven to heat your home. Gas appliances are designed for cooking, not heating living spaces. Using them for heat can cause dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.