Carbon Monoxide
The "Silent Killer"
Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the "silent killer." Colorless, odorless and tasteless, it can invade your home without warning. As you breathe it in, the CO displaces the oxygen you need to survive. It quickly accumulates in your bloodstream, forming a toxic compound called carboxy hemoglobin (car-box-see-HEE-muh-glow-bin). Even in small quantities it can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, irregular breathing, sleepiness and confusion. In larger concentrations it leads to unconsciousness and death.
Here are some important things to keep in mind about carbon monoxide safety:
- Whether you heat your home with natural gas, oil, propane, coal or wood, your heating system can produce toxic CO if it is not working properly or not vented correctly.
- Signs of CO include stuffy, stale or smelly air, very high humidity or soot coming from a fireplace or heating system.
- Reduce the risk of CO poisoning by having your heating equipment "tuned up" each year, preferably before the heating season begins.
- Chimney Safety - A plugged or blocked chimney could cause the products of combustion to back up and filter through your home and that is very dangerous to your health. Have your chimney or vent pipes checked for blockage at the same time. If you have a continued concern or if you notice evidence of chimney deterioration, it is suggested you contact a qualified chimney expert right away for corrective repairs. (Refer to the telephone yellow pages under "Chimney Builders, Chimney Repairs, Heating Contractors or Home Repairs.")
- High efficiency furnaces, water heaters and other energy-saving appliances may have exhaust vents that exit your building through an exterior wall rather than through a chimney. These vents can become blocked in the winter months by snow and ice, which can affect the safe operation of the appliance. Therefore, please ensure that all snow, ice and other obstructions are removed from your venting systems.
- Also make sure your home is adequately ventilated, particularly if you have added insulation to your home, had major renovations done or have enclosed your heating system to increase living space.
- Symptoms of CO poisoning are often confused with flu symptoms and the number of poisoning cases often increases at the start of the flu season.
- Seek medical attention immediately if CO is detected.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Can Save Lives
A properly installed CO detector can alert you to its presence. If the alarm sounds,
GET OUT OF THE HOME QUICKLY. Call the fire department from another location and ask them to check your home for the presence of CO.
On January 1, 2002, a law went into effect in Rhode Island, requiring that carbon-monoxide detectors be installed in all new homes with natural gas utilities and other homes up for sale.
All newly constructed residential dwelling units with natural gas utilities, and all dwellings converted to residential units before 1976, must have at least one carbon-monoxide detector that is UL listed or approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the State Fire Marshal.
A carbon-monoxide detector must be placed outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
Each bedroom or sleeping room separated from another by "other use areas," such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms, must have a separate carbon-monoxide detector.
All carbon-monoxide detectors must be mounted according to the manufacturer's specifications.
All carbon-monoxide detectors must have a visible, intermittent or steady "power on" indicator and, in case of natural gas detection, sound an audible signal having a minimum rating of 85 dBA at 10 feet.
Applicable dwelling units cannot be sold or transferred without the installation of carbon-monoxide detectors and certification from the office of the State Fire Marshall or local fire department that the dwelling unit is in compliance with the law.
Using a Natural Gas Range
Nothing cooks food better than a natural gas range, but NEVER use your natural gas range to heat your home or apartment. This practice creates a serious fire hazard and puts you and your family at risk from dangerous carbon monoxide fumes. Your range was designed only to heat your food, not your home.
