Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by the incomplete burning of a fuel. If you have any gas or wood fired appliances; ovens, water heaters, fireplaces, attached garages, you should have a Carbon Monoxide Detector. You cannot see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide, or CO as it is abbreviated, making it equally as dangerous if not more dangerous than smoke. CO disrupts normal respiration by displacing the Oxygen in your blood. Your body thinks it needs more oxygen so the natural reaction is to breathe faster and heavier resulting in intaking more CO. The signs and symptoms of CO Poisoning are headaches, dizziness, nausea, loss of consciousness and death. A good indicator of CO in the residence is when multiple people in the family are all having the same symptom, headaches are the most common and first to occur.
CO Detectors are readily available at your local hardware store and operate like a smoke alarm. Install it according to the instructions and change the batteries regularly, like your smoke alarms. There are even combination CO and smoke alarms.
If you already have a CO detector and it is over 7 years old, as of manufacture date, replace it. Check for the date on the back of the detector. If you have a combination smoke/CO detector replace those also after the 7 year mark.
If anyone in the home is exhibiting any of the above symptoms please dial 911 immediately and exit the building.
For more information check out this web page from NFPA.
Please call the Fire Department if you have any questions.