What's Invisible, Has No Smell, But Can Kill You?

Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of death by poison in the United States, killing more than 500 people every year. It is one of the most dangerous poisons because often people don't know it is present until it is too late. The best way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to buy a carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) detector for your home. A properly working carbon monoxide detector can provide an early warning before deadly gases build up to dangerous levels. If you live in a home that is two stories or more, you might want to install two.

For more information, see the "Is it Flu or Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?" page.

If you notice these symptoms and suspect that carbon monoxide is the cause, leave the area immediately and get outside to fresh air. Call 9-1-1 and seek medical help.

Be reminded: Installing a carbon monoxide detector does not eliminate the need to have a smoke alarm in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors do not detect smoke and smoke alarms do not sense carbon monoxide.

CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Facts

• CO is a produced anytime a fuel is burned. Potential sources include gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, gas ovens, generators and car exhaust fumes.
• Every year more than 10,000 people die or seek medical attention due to CO poisoning from home-related products. (Source:  Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• More than two-thirds of Americans use gas, wood, kerosene or another fuel as their home's major heat source.
• 65% of CO poisoning deaths from consumer products are due to heating systems.
• Only 27% of homes in America have carbon monoxide alarms, according to recent industry research.
• An idling vehicle in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened, can produce concentrated amounts of CO that can enter your home through the garage door or nearby windows.
• CO poisoning deaths from portable generators have doubled for the past two years, and many of these deaths occurred in the winter months and during power outages.
• A poorly maintained gas stove can give off twice the amount of CO than one in good working order.

Prevention

• Install at least one battery-powered CO alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup on each level of your home and near sleeping areas.
• Have a licensed professional inspect heating systems and other fuel-burning appliances annually.
• Install fuel-burning appliances properly and operate according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep chimneys clear of animal nests, leaves and residue to ensure proper venting. Have all fireplaces cleaned and inspected annually.
• Do not block or seal shut the exhaust flues or ducts used by water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.
• Do not leave your car running in an attached garage or carport.
• Do not use ovens or stoves to heat your home.
• Do not use charcoal or gas grills inside or operate outdoors near a window where CO fumes could seep in through a window.
• Check all carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Do they use the most accurate sensing technology? Do they need new batteries?

Replace CO alarms every five to seven years in order to benefit from the latest technology upgrades.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - A Colorless, Tasteless, and Odorless Killer

As many of you are aware, there was a tragic death with a couple more close calls in the District of Columbia a couple of days ago related to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. With the cold weather our furnaces, wood stoves, space heaters, and fire places will be working to keep our homes toasty warm. The use of improperly operating oil, natural gas and LPG forced air heating systems and appliances can result in CO poisoning.

Heck, leaving your car running in an attached to your home garage can result in CO leaking into your home!

With the above in mind, I would like to offer some of the CO exposure warning signs and symptoms and what you can do to protect yourself and your family from this hidden danger. CO is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and non-irritating gas that you may be unaware you are breathing. The signs/symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

•Symptoms often described as “Flu-like”

• Mild headache initially, increasing in intensity to throbbing headache

• Shortness of breath

• Irritability and fatigue

• Impaired judgment

• Memory loss

• Vomiting

• Symptoms can progress rapidly to coma and death

• Symptoms decrease when leaving the home or location to go to work, school

Some standard steps to prevent CO poisoning from occurring:

• Install at least one battery-powered CO alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup on each level of your home and near sleeping areas.

• Have your furnace checked before use each year to ensure adequate ventilation and proper operation.

• Always provide adequate ventilation when using wood stoves, fuel-fired space heaters, and fireplaces and ensure proper installation, adjustment and operation of all flame-burning appliances.

• Never use an oven or gas range to heat the house. These appliances use the existing oxygen supply.

• Never burn charcoal inside a home or other enclosed space.

• Always ventilate generators used to run cleaning equipment, pump water or supply electricity to a home. Generators used in a garage can result in fumes seeping into the home.

• Keep chimneys clear of animal nests, leaves and residue to ensure proper venting. Have all fireplaces cleaned and inspected annually.

• Do not block or seal shut the exhaust flues or ducts used by water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.

• Do not leave your car running in an attached garage or carport.

• Replace CO alarms every five to seven years in order to benefit from the latest technology upgrades.

If you are in doubt about whether you may be the victim of CO poisoning or a leak, call 9-1-1.

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

Discard Fireplace Ashes in a Metal Container Away From the House and Keep Clutter Away From Heat Sources

The cold temperatures are here. More fires seem to occur around this time of the year as the result of combustibles too close to a heat sources, malfunction in chimney flues, improperly placed fireplace ashes, malfunctioning heating systems and/or associated electrical overloads. During the upcoming months, home heating systems and heating equipment continue to be significant factor in structural fires in Montgomery County. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips and information, from our friends at the NFPA and USFA, can help you maintain a fire safe home and business this winter.

Winter Fire Safety

PUT A FREEZE ON WINTER FIRES