Definitive Guide to Carbon Monoxide

What is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is found in many home appliances and is naturally produced when burning fuels like wood, oil, natural gas, propane, coal or kerosene. This invisible, odorless, tasteless gas can be poisonous in high amounts.

In this guide, we go over the items in and around your home that produce this gas and how you can help prevent CO leaks from happening in the first place.

Carbon monoxide statistics and facts:

• Every year in the U.S., approximately 400 people die, and 50,000 people visit an emergency facility due to accidental CO poisoning [1].
• According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), people with anemia, asthma or the very young or very old are more susceptible to getting sick from CO poisoning [3].

• Twenty-seven states, and D.C., currently require carbon monoxide detectors in private dwellings. An additional 11 states require CO detectors in private homes [2].
• Once inhaled, carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in your blood with CO [1].

How do carbon monoxide detectors work?

Carbon monoxide detectors sense levels of CO gas and alert you if dangerous levels are detected. There are three types of carbon monoxide alarms: biomimetic alarms, metal oxide semiconductors and electrochemical sensors.

• Biomimetic sensors use a gel that changes color when too much CO is absorbed. The changing color is what activates the alarm.

            ○ Change out the gel pack periodically to lessen the chance of contamination.

            ○ These sensors can last 2+ years with an alkaline battery or up to the lifespan of the biomimetic sensor with a lithium battery.

• Metal oxide semiconductor sensors utilize an integrated circuit that detects CO through changes in the electrical current.

            ○ These sensors don’t typically require batteries and have a lifespan of around five years.

            ○ You should test these sensors annually.

• Electrochemical sensors: Electrodes in this alarm are immersed in a chemical solution that senses changes in the electrical current. The alarm is triggered once the current changes, sounding the siren.

            ○ These are the most common detectors in the United States.

            ○ Lifespan is typically from 5 to 10 years.

            ○ Test these alarms annually, but preferably monthly.

 

Are CO detectors required in my home?

CO detectors have different regulations regarding use depending on where you live. Some states require that you have one in every enclosed room. Other states require you to have a CO sensor in every room with a smoke detector.

• Thirty-eight states and Washington, D.C., require CO detectors in private homes.
• You must have an alarm in Maine, Maryland, Illinois, Connecticut and California school buildings.

Where should I place a carbon monoxide detector?

Carbon monoxide detectors save lives. Even if one isn’t required in your home, we highly recommend installing them in these areas anyway:

• On every floor, even the basement.
• Outside each bedroom or sleeping area.
• In your attached garage.
• At least 10 feet from an attached garage door that leads to your home.
• In the room above your garage.
• To reduce false alarms, you should place a detector at least 15 feet away from gas-burning appliances, like fireplaces or stoves.

Read more about carbon monoxide placement: The Best Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement for Your Home

What should you do if your carbon monoxide detector sounds an alarm?

If your carbon monoxide detector starts goings off, you should take the beeping seriously.

Immediately open windows and doors to allow fresh air inside and turn off any gas-burning appliances. Then, grab your family and pets and head outside. Once you’re safe, call the fire department.

If someone is experiencing carbon monoxide gas poisoning symptoms, you should take them to an emergency room or call an ambulance. They made need to be treated with oxygen.

 How can you help protect your family from carbon monoxide?

Many instances of CO gas poisoning are preventable if you have fuel-burning appliances properly installed, vented and maintained.

Some general rules when using gas-powered appliances:

• Never use generators, charcoal grills, or camp stoves in an enclosed area.
• Ensure that your equipment is regularly serviced and maintained. (If devices need servicing, you should call a qualified professional.)
• Never run cars for an extended period in an attached garage.
• Immediately repair any potential leaky hoses or exhaust pipes in your car.

What are some common sources of carbon monoxide gas?

Any time you burn fuel like charcoal, wood, oil, propane, or natural gas, CO is created. It’s also made when any type of smoke is produced, including anything from brush fires to vaping. 

Here are some common sources of carbon monoxide gas: 

• Boilers and water heaters
• Camping stoves
• Furnaces or chimneys
• Fireplaces
• Generators or other gas-powered appliances
• Gas stoves and ovens
• Clothes dryers
• Gas-powered boats
• Stored wood pellets

Boilers and Water Heaters

Gas leaks are more common in older boilers, where leaks are more prone to cause water damage. To prevent gas and water leaks, it’s a good idea to get your boiler and water heater regularly serviced.

Camping Stoves

Always treat camping stoves with care since they produce CO gas and can potentially burn you. Though carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, many portable camping stoves run on propane or butane. A chemical in these canisters smells like sulfur or rotten eggs, helping you determine if there’s a leak.

Furnaces or Chimneys

If your chimney or furnace is working correctly, it should direct the CO gas through the pipes and vent it outside. Check these items if you’re experiencing reverse airflow, soot or acidic water vapor, as this could mean carbon monoxide gas is entering your home. 

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) suggests you do an annual check-up to ensure that your furnace and chimney are in good working order.

Fireplaces

Be on the lookout for fallen soot, excessive fumes or smoke, rust or creosote buildup, flue blockages, damaged flue liners, or improperly installed venting. 

Don’t forget to open dampers before using the fireplace. 

Even if you don’t regularly use a fireplace, chimneys often vent gases outside from furnaces or water heaters. It’s vital that you keep an eye on your fireplace and still do an annual inspection. If you use it regularly, make sure a professional chimney sweep cleans and inspects your chimney once a year.

Generators or Other Gas-Powered Appliances

Exhaust from generators like lawn equipment, power tools (i.e., high-pressure washers, floor buffers, compressors, welders), and grills can produce carbon monoxide gas. 

Generators contain high levels of CO gas, so you should never use one inside an enclosure. Fans or an open window do not provide proper ventilation.

Pro-tip: When using a generator outside, keep it at least 20 feet from your home, and direct the exhaust away from any open vents, doors or windows.

Never use gasoline-powered tools inside buildings unless the engines are outside.

If you use a high-pressure power washer or other gas-powered items, ensure the pump and motor are outside and away from any air intakes; only use the wash line or hose indoors.

If you often work with these power tools, buying a small, consider purchasing a personal carbon monoxide monitor. If high levels of CO are sensed, you’ll get a warning so you can move to an open area.

Gas Stoves and Ovens

Never use a range to heat your home, and always make sure you turn the hood fan on when using the oven.

As many as 51% of kitchen ranges raised CO levels above the EPA standard in a test. You should not only practice safe cooking practices to avoid grease fires in the kitchen, but you should also abide by a few rules with your kitchen cooktop. Ultimately, you should follow the manufacturer’s operating manual at all times.

• Regularly clean the stove and oven.
• Never use your range to heat your home.
• DON’T block or cover the vent or vent holes.
• DON’T use the oven with the door open.

Have a certified technician tune your cooktop once a year to keep it in good running order. You should immediately contact a technician if the burner’s flames are yellow or red, they have soot, or you experience issues getting the burners or pilot to light.

Remember: Get your cooktop checked as soon as possible if your CO alarm frequently warns you that levels are rising when using the range.

Clothes Dryers

To prevent carbon monoxide in your gas dryer, clean the vent and maintain ventilation. Even correctly maintained dryers can eventually break down over time. If it seems like your vent is constantly clogging with lint, you may want to service your dryer. 

Electric dryers don’t produce carbon monoxide.

Boats

Many boat parts can create CO gas, including the engine, generators and water heaters.

Make sure your devices are correctly installed, adequately ventilated, and appropriately maintained.

When does a boat produce excess carbon monoxide?

It’s possible for your boat to build up CO in the cockpit, bridge, cabin, aft deck, or other open areas. If you’ve overloaded your boat, or if it’s operated at a high bow angle, you have an increased risk of creating a backdraft that traps CO.

• When it’s traveling at prolonged speeds.
• When it’s idling too long in the water.
• Where the engine vents its exhaust.
• Near rear vented exhaust systems.

The CDC suggests avoiding the rear vented exhaust system for at least 15 minutes once your engine is off.

Avoid blocking vents or exhaust outlets, and make sure that when you dock, you’re at least 20 feet away from boats that are running their generators or engine.

Wood Stoves and Pellets

If you use wood stoves, pellet stoves, boilers or fireplaces, ensure they are correctly installed and have appropriate ventilation. Wood pellets should be stored in a separate outdoor structure from your home, in a building that allows outside ventilation.

No matter what home appliance you’re using, it’s essential to know the signs of CO exposure.

If you experience any gay leak symptoms, you should immediately vacate the area and go to a hospital for further evaluation.

What are some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

According to the CDC and Minnesota Department of Health, some symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to flu-like symptoms. It’s essential to listen to your body, leave the area and call 911 if you believe you are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms. 

Initial and moderate CO poisoning may include:

• A mild headache
• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Exhaustion or weakness
• Increasingly intensifying headaches

Sustained exposure may cause these additional symptoms:

• Upset stomach or vomiting
• Chest pains or tightness
• Sudden sleepiness
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Impaired judgment

Continued, high levels of CO gas exposure include:

• Lack of coordination
• Rapid loss of conscience
• Higher levels of confusion and disorientation
• Brain damage
• Or even death

Symptoms are directly related to two factors: the CO level and length of exposure. 

Additional factors include:

• Your current health.
• If have respiratory or heart issues or anemia.
• If you’re pregnant.
• Elderly people are at an increased risk of experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms more rapidly.
• Infants may also experience symptoms more quickly than other people.

Healthy adults may not experience any symptoms, even if their home reaches 50 ppm, so it’s important to consider any alert from your CO sensors.

There are also different regulations for exposure levels, depending on who you talk to.

OSHA prohibits working in exposure limits above 50 ppm in an 8-hour timeframe. NIOSH bases its data on cardiovascular effects. They consider levels above 35 ppm within 8-hours to be dangerous. 

What carbon monoxide levels will set off the alarm in my home?

What to do if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning

The most important thing you should do if you suspect your home has high levels of carbon monoxide is to grab your family and pets and leave. If you’re able, you should try to air out the home and open a few windows on your way out. Once you’re outside and safe, immediately call the fire department. 

If anyone in your family feels sick or starts to experience CO poisoning symptoms, take them to an emergency room or call 911. Doctors may need to treat them with oxygen.

Help protect your home from carbon monoxide with ADT.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is often preventable with a CO detector, so it’s essential to ensure that one is installed and working correctly in your home. With ADT’s professional monitoring services, we call you and send help if we can’t get a hold of you. So you can rest assured that your home is better protected 24/7.

Get reliable carbon monoxide detection and rapid response with ADT.