About
Carbon Monoxide
Checklist
for the Prevention of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is
often referred to as CO, which is its chemical symbol. Unlike many gases,
CO has no odor, color, or taste, and it doesn't irritate your skin.
Red blood cells pick up
CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air,
your body may replace oxygen in your blood with CO. This can damage
tissues in your body, and it can kill you. Knowing where CO is found and
how to avoid it can protect you from serious injury or death.
Click here to view diagram.
QUESTIONS
The Home,
Cabin, and Camper
Most questions will
apply equally to homeowners, campers, and renters. Renters should ask
their landlords about maintenance and repairs.
How often should I have
my fireplace draft and the drafts of other fuel-burning appliances
checked? Every year. Have all fuel-burning venting systems in your home
checked by an expert every year.
How often should my gas
appliances be checked? Every year. Have all gas appliances checked every
year. Your gas company may be willing to do this for you.
Do all gas appliances
need to be vented?
Yes. All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in
your home, cabin, or camper.
How often should my
chimney vent be checked for defects or debris?
Every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build
up inside your home or cabin. Have your chimney checked or cleaned every
year.
Is it okay to patch a
vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else?
No. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or
camper.
Should the horizontal
vent pipes to my fuel appliances be perfectly level?
No. Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors.
This helps prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes
aren't fitted tightly. Click on diagram below to learn more about this.
Click here to view diagram.
Should I use my gas
range or oven for heating?
No. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO
inside your home, cabin, or camper.
Is it normal for the
cooling unit of my gas refrigerator give off an odor?
No. An odor from the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator can mean you
have a defect in the cooling unit. It could also be giving off CO. If you
smell an odor from your gas refrigerator's cooling unit you should have an
expert service it.
Should I use a charcoal
grill or a barbecue grill indoors?
No. Using a grill indoors will cause a build up of CO inside your home,
cabin, or camper unless you use it inside a vented fireplace.
Should I use burning
charcoal indoors?
No. Burning charcoal--red, gray, black, or white-- gives off CO.
Are portable flameless
chemical heaters (catalytic) safe to use indoors?
No. Although these heaters don't have a flame, they burn gas and can cause
CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
Should I use a portable
gas camp stove indoors?
No. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your
home, cabin, or camper.
Your Car or Truck
How often should I have
a mechanic check the exhaust system of my car?
Every year. A small leak in your car's exhaust system can lead to a build
up of CO inside the car.
Is it okay to run my
car or truck in the garage with the garage door shut?
No. CO can build up quickly while your car or truck is running an a closed
garage. Never run your car in a garage unless the outside door is open to
let in fresh air.
Do I need to leave the
door closed between my attached garage and my house when I run my car or
truck in the garage?
Yes. CO can easily go from your garage through the door that opens into
your house, even if your garage door is open to let in fresh air. Keep the
door connecting your garage to your house closed when your car or truck is
running in your garage.
Should I keep my car or
truck windows open while driving in heavy traffic, even I run the air
conditioner?
Yes. Even with an air conditioner CO can be pulled into your car or truck
while you drive slowly in heavy traffic. Open your windows slightly to let
the CO out and fresh air in.
I drive a station
wagon. Should I lower the tailgate to get more air in the car?
If you open the tailgate, you also need to open vents or windows to make
sure air is moving through your car. If only the tailgate is open CO from
the exhaust will be pulled into the car.
Other
When I choose gas
equipment, how do I know what's safe?
Buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency, such as
the American Gas Association or the Underwriters' Laboratory.
How hard is it to
convert a fuel burner from one fuel to another?
It can be very hard to do this safely. You need to have an expert make the
right changes and check whether the burner is venting correctly.
Is there anything I
should do when I stay at motels or hotels that have heating units located
in the room?
Yes. Read the instructions on the unit or ask the hotel staff how it
works. Even if the equipment is made and installed correctly, using it the
wrong way can lead to a build up of CO in your room.
Top
of Page
| Source:
Center for Disease Control (CDC) |
CDC Disclaimer: The information
provided on this page is based upon CDC's current scientific and
technical understanding of the issues presented. Following the
advice given will not necessarily provide complete protection in all
situations or against all health hazards that may be caused by
indoor air pollution and other indoor environmental contaminants.
Mention of any trade names or commercial products does not
constitute CDC endorsement or recommendation for use. |
EnTech Disclaimer: EnTech Supply makes no claim as to the accuracy of
the information provided above, which is reprinted as a courtesy to
the reader from an CDC document. The reader should conduct their own
independent research to verify the accuracy of CDC's information. |
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