Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas that results from unsafe or misused gas appliances. Poisoning can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and in some cases, death. If you or your family use gas appliances of any kind, poisoning from CO is a very real threat, and you need to understand risk-reduction and what to do should you suspect poisoning has occurred.
Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Any gas powered appliance can cause CO poisoning if it is faulty or used incorrectly. This can include (but isn’t limited to) gas stoves, gas engines, and home heating systems. Never use cooking equipment designed for outdoor use, indoors, or attempt to use a gas oven to heat your home.
Servicing Appliances
To ensure they are operating safely, heating systems, gas appliances and car exhaust systems should be checked annually by a qualified technician.
Spotting Symptoms
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headaches, dizziness and nausea; vomiting, confusion and chest pain are common too. While it’s important you are aware of these symptoms, don’t be reliant on being able to spot them – use a carbon monoxide alarm which will sound if it detects harmful levels in the air.
What to Do
If you suspect your or a family member is suffering from CO poisoning, you should immediately leave the property (or other potential source of poisoning) and call 911. Suspected poisoning should be treated like a fire – lack of visual symptoms can cause a false sense of security and cause people to take time collecting belongings. However the toxins can cause harm very quickly, and the longer you are breathing these toxins in, the higher the chance you will suffer lasting damage.
For more information and advice on caring for home appliances and preventing carbon monoxide poisoning please contact Around the Clock.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Los Angeles, North Hollywood and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning and other HVAC topics, downloadour free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Goldenarts/Shutterstock”