Carbon Monoxide: You can't see it or smell it. So, what can you do?

Carbon monoxide levels at 10% start to poison the air and can overcome an exposed person with symptoms including brain damage and death within a couple of hours. - News Canada

Carbon monoxide is produced when fossil fuels like gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal are burned. Use your fuel burning appliances properly and the amount of CO is minimal and not life threatening. Use them improperly or in a state of disrepair and you're risking your life.

How does carbon monoxide enter the home?    

1. A recent report from the United States reports that up to 30% of newly remodeled energy efficient buildings have indoor air quality problems related to CO. New homes are constructed to seal in as much heat as possible. While this conserves energy, it limits fresh air exchange.
2. CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuel. Appliances such as water heaters, furnaces, stoves and space heaters that are fueled by natural gas, propane, kerosene or wood emit CO.   If these appliances are not properly installed, maintained or used, dangerous CO can result.

What are CO poisoning symptoms?

CO poisoning is difficult to diagnose. Symptoms are similar to other illnesses such as the flu or the start of a cold.  Certain levels of exposure could mean a variation in symptoms.  Read below to find out what you or your family may experience at the various levels of exposure to carbon monoxide:

Low Exposure

1. Shortness of breath
2. Mild nausea
3. Mild headaches

Mid-level Exposure

1. Severe headaches
2. Dizziness or faintness
3. Vomiting
4. Mental confusion
5. Nausea
6. Fatigue

Extended Exposure

1. Severe headaches
2. Mental confusion 
3. Vomiting
4. Vision and hearing impairment
5. Unconsciousness

What to do if you are exposed to CO:

1. Get fresh air. Open doors and windows and turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.
2. Get to a hospital. If CO poisoning has occurred, it can be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure.
3. Prepare. Answering these questions will help your physician diagnose you:

• Do your symptoms occur only in the house?
• Do they disappear or decrease when you leave home and appear when you return?
• Does anyone else in your house have similar symptoms?
• Do symptoms appear about the same time as everyone else?
• Do you use fuel-burning appliances in the home?
• Have you had these appliances inspected lately?
• Are your appliances working properly? Prevention can keep you alive and well.

Carbon monoxide exposure can be deadly, but if you take the correct precautions, such as having a carbon monoxide sensor installed, you can decrease your family’s risk of exposure.  Contact Reliance Protectron today to find out more about carbon monoxide sensors.