Carbon Monoxide, What You Should Not Do

Carbon Monoxide

Home Safety Tips

What You Can Do...

•Buy only appliances approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

•Choose fuel-burning appliances that can be vented to the outdoors, whenever possible.

•Make sure appliances are installed according to manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals and should be inspected by the proper authority after installation

•Have the heating system, vents, chimney and flue inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every year.

•Follow manufacturer’s directions for safe operation of all fuel-burning appli- ances.

•Examine vents and chimneys regularly for improper connections, visible rust or stains.

•Open a window when a fireplace or wood-burning stove is in use, and provide adequate outdoor air for furnace and water heater.

•Notice problems that could indicate improper appliance operation:

–Decreasing hot water supply

–Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly

–Sooting, especially on appliances

–Unfamiliar or burning odor

–Yellow or orange flame

•Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning:

–headaches, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation.

•Recognize that CO poisoning may be the cause when family members suffer from flu-like symptoms that don’t disappear but improve when they leave home for extended periods of time.

What You Should Not Do...

•Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, cabin, RV or camper.

•Never install, service, or convert fuel-burning appliances from one type to another without proper knowledge, skills and tools.

•Never use a gas range, oven, or clothes dryer for heating.

•Never operate unvented gas-burning appliances, such as kerosene or natural gas space heaters, in a closed room.

•Never operate gasoline-powered engines (like vehicles, motorcycles, lawn mow- ers, yard equipment or power tools) in confined areas such as a garage or base- ment, even if an outside door or window is open.

•Never ignore a safety device when it shuts off an appliance.

•Never ignore a CO alarm.