Carbon Monoxide Safety

Carbon Monoxide, or CO for short, is a high priority safety issue in the home today. CO is often called the silent killer. You can’t see it, smell it or taste it, but it kills hundreds of people each year. Red blood cells absorb CO 200 times faster than they absorb oxygen. Thus the body becomes asphyxiated from a lack of oxygen. Infants and children are at a far greater risk than adults.

Nothing has been talked about more and understood less. There are a number of myths about carbon monoxide that only serve to confuse people more. This often results in a false sense of security. The bottom line is that there is no guarantee that any home is CO free.

Carbon monoxide is a flammable, odorless, colorless, tasteless and nonirritating gas. Combustion requires a proper mix of fuel and oxygen. In normal combustion carbon dioxide (CO₂) is formed. When there is a lack of oxygen within the combustion process, carbon monoxide (CO) is formed. Thus production of CO is inextricably linked to the supply of fresh air (oxygen) in a home. This is affected by the way air moves about the house which is usually a function of air pressure. CO is about the same weight as air and depending on air currents in the home, will usually distribute itself evenly from floor to ceiling.

CO poisoning is very hard to diagnose. CO mimics a number of systemic diseases such as viral flu and is often misdiagnosed as such. Symptoms of CO poisoning include fatigue, drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, confusion, disorientation, impaired vision and lack of coordination. Be especially concerned if these symptoms persist or seem to clear up when you leave the house.

Every house is susceptible to CO. If your home has combustion appliances, a fireplace or an attached garage you could experience CO at some point in time. There are no exceptions. Your house could be new or old, loose or tight. It doesn’t matter.

As homeowners we are always making changes to our home to maximize our enjoyment and retain its value. We refinish and renovate rooms, upgrade windows, doors and insulation, install new appliances, etc. These changes can alter air movement or internal pressure which can adversely affect the environment that leads to the production of CO.

There are a number of things that you could do which would reduce the risk:

Have a qualified service technician inspect all fuel burning equipment yearly to verify that they conform to the original manufacturer’s specifications. This technician should also take measurements of CO in all the relevant locations at each visit.

Have a certified chimney contractor inspect your masonry chimney for moisture stains, cracks, white chalky deposits or loose mortar, yearly.

Keep the area around the furnace and water heater clear so that the air supply to the appliance is not blocked off. Also consult a qualified contractor before making any changes to enclose or partition off your combustion appliances.

Always remember to back your car out of the garage, to let it warm up. Never leave it running in the garage, especially if the garage is attached to the house.

A carbon monoxide detector is a good investment for your family’s well being. They are easy to install and very affordable. You can install them yourself or have your heating contractor do it for you.   A CO detector can provide added protection, but is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of potential carbon monoxide sources. No detector is 100% reliable. Get a unit with a digital readout (and memory of readouts) so that you can observe changes in levels as some individuals may experience health problems at levels of CO below the amount it takes to set off the alarm.

Ideally, you should have one detector placed on every level of your home. The most important site is where the bedrooms are located. However, there are some general rules that can be followed:

Mount them on the wall preferably midway between floor and ceiling;

In the bedroom area, place it in the hall close to a return air grille, if possible;

In the living area, place it 5 feet away from a fireplace;

In the basement or furnace area, place it 5 feet away from any combustion appliance;

Each manufacturer has instructions as to how their detector should be installed.

There are several things you should do if your CO detector activates an alarm. First check the digital readout on the detector and compare it with the chart below to determine the level of danger in you home. If you are not feeling any ill effects contact you natural gas, propane or fuel oil supplier and have them respond to check your home of CO. If you are feeling any of the ill effects listed in the chart below contact 911 emergency immediately and emergency personnel will respond to assist you.