What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Symptoms of CO poisoning are headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and/or confusion? If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, there is a chance you are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if the symptoms ease when you leave your home.
What is carbon monoxide?
The CDC defines carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. It is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by vehicles, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. Carbon monoxide can slowly build up over time from these sources and poison those living there or can quickly reach lethal levels.
What are causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?
There are many causes of CO poisoning. A cracked or damaged heat exchanger can be to blame. (You should have your
heat exchanger checked regularly as most damages are not visible but are very dangerous. Check with your local heating and air conditioning company to find out how often you need to get your heat exchanger inspected, or call Selvey Heating and Cooling at 765-296-2600.)
The following are also sources of carbon monoxide poisoning: Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces, gas stoves, generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. Incomplete oxidation during combustion in gas ranges and unvented gas or kerosene heaters may cause high concentrations of CO in indoor air. Worn or poorly adjusted and maintained combustion devices (e.g., boilers, furnaces) can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or is leaking. Auto, truck, or bus exhaust from attached garages, nearby roads, or parking areas can also be a source.
How does carbon monoxide poisoning work?
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, the body may replace the oxygen in the blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body which can damage tissues and result in death.
Who is most at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning?
Everyone is at risk, but unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Fatality is highest among Americans 65 and older.
How do I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?
- Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector on each floor of your home and change the batteries every 6 months when you turn your clocks back or forward.
![CO Detector]()
- Never use a catalytic heater (flameless chemical heater) indoors as it can quickly cause a dangerous level of carbon monoxide to build up.
- Run generators outdoors.
- If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator’s cooling unit, have an expert service it.
- Never leave a car idling in your garage, even for just a minute.
*My son’s roommate came home late one night and sleepily forgot to turn off his quiet truck in the garage. He went into his room and went to sleep. The 
next morning, a policeman banging on my son’s front door woke my sonout of a deep, groggy sleep. A neighbor had been walking her dog and was concerned that a car was running inside a closed garage. Two ambulances took my son and his roommate to the hospital where they were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning. The doctor said another hour, and they both would have been dead. I came very close to losing my son that night. If you don’t have a working CO detector installed on each floor of your home, I urge you to get one. Today.*
If you have any questions or would like to have your carbon monoxide detector checked, please call Selvey Heating & Cooling.
