Carbon monoxide safety

Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can happen within a matter of minutes and is responsible for more deaths than any other single poison. Becoming educated about carbon monoxide poisoning can significantly reduce the health risk as well as save lives.

What exactly is carbon monoxide?

It is an invisible, odorless gas. Because you cannot see it, taste it or smell it, carbon monoxide can hurt you before you know it’s there.

Where does carbon monoxide come from?

It is produced by appliances that burn gas or oil. Examples are clothes dryers, stoves, ovens, furnaces, water heaters or space heaters. An appliance malfunction, clogged vents and vehicle exhaust can all produce unsafe levels of carbon monoxide.

How does carbon monoxide affect me?

Even small amounts of carbon monoxide can rob you of oxygen. It produces flu-like symptoms. This might include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion and irritability. Continued exposure can lead to vomiting, loss of consciousness and eventually brain damage or death. It is especially dangerous for children, pregnant women, people with heart disease and the elderly.

What can I do to protect myself?

Every home should have at least one carbon monoxide alarm. Ideal locations are outside the kitchen because CO can come from gas stoves, near a fireplace or gas heater, near the door to the garage because cars can emit dangerous levels of CO, and outside bedrooms so you will hear the alarm while you sleep. The height of the alarm doesn’t matter; just make sure it is out of reach of children (about 5 feet above the floor). Make sure it is accessible for testing, cleaning and maintenance.

Never run your car or other gas-powered vehicles in the garage, even if the garage door is open. Do not use a charcoal grill or gas-powered generator inside a house, tent or other enclosed space.

How does a carbon monoxide alarm work?

A carbon monoxide alarm is not like a smoke alarm. Its alarm is based on timed exposure. It’s the concentration of carbon monoxide over time that poses a threat. The alarm triggers before a healthy person would notice any symptoms.

What should I do if my carbon monoxide alarm is activated?

Call 911. Don’t panic. Move everyone to fresh air. Do not re-enter the home until emergency crews have checked out the problem and given you the OK to go back inside. Correct the problem as soon as possible.

Cinda Seamon, Community Risk Reduction & Outreach Program Coordinator, Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue.