What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, deadly gas.  Because you can't see, taste or smell it, carbon monoxide can kill you before you know it's there.  At lower levels of exposure, carbon monoxide may cause numerous health problems.  Symptoms of CO poisoning may be as follows:

• Slight headache and dizziness
• Nausea
• Drowsiness and an euphoric feeling
• Confusion and irritability
• Unconsciousness
• Death

Everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.  Some individuals may be more vulnerable to poisoning through, such as unborn babies, infants, children, senior citizens and people with heart and lung problems.

Why is it so dangerous?
The great danger of carbon monoxide is its attraction to hemoglobin in the bloodstream, which normally carries life-giving oxygen to cells and tissues.  As even small amounts are breathed in, carbon monoxide quickly bonds with hemoglobin in the blood, displacing the oxygen that organs need to function.  When CO is present in the air, it rapidly accumulates in the blood, forming a toxic compound known as carboxyhemoglobin (COHb).

Where does it come from?
Carbon monoxide is a common by-product of combustion, present whenever fossil fuels are burned.  It is produced by malfunctioning or un-vented gas or oil home appliances such as furnaces, clothes dryers, ranges, ovens, water heaters and space heaters, as well as fireplaces, charcoal grills and wood burning stoves.  Automobile exhaust also contains high levels of carbon monoxide that can seep into a home if a car is left running in an attached garage.  All of these sources can contribute to a CO problem in the home.

Usually, carbon monoxide is vented safely to the outside.  However, insulation meant to keep indoor air warm during the winter or cool in the summer can help trap CO-polluted air in the home.  Furnace heat exchangers can crack; vents and chimneys may reverse direction causing a downdraft, which traps combustion gases in the home.

How can I protect my family?
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) recommends installing at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping area.  Choose an Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) listed alarm that sounds an audible warning.  Look for the UL logo on the package.