Take Steps to Protect Your Family From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Any home that has a fireplace or appliances that burn fuel may be susceptible to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. These appliances may include a combustion furnace or water heater, gas kitchen range or fireplace insert. Fortunately, the risk of a CO leak in a residence is relatively low, and falls to near zero if you abide by simple safety precautions.

An average of 170 Americans die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning every year from non-automotive consumer products, according to the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition to the aforementioned combustion products (furnaces, water heaters, etc.), gas-powered portable generators, charcoal cooking and fireplaces/fireplace inserts also are at fault in CO injuries and deaths. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, several thousand Americans are treated in hospital emergency rooms annually due to accidental CO poisoning in the home.

The Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is a potentially deadly odorless and colorless poisonous gas. It results from the incomplete burning of fuel, including coal, charcoal, wood, natural gas, oil, kerosene and propane. CO poisoning is not easy to diagnose when it’s happening, which is why it’s also called the “silent killer.” Its symptoms may be similar to those seen in common wintertime maladies such as the common cold and influenza (and nowadays, COVID-19). Heavy exposure in a relatively small amount of time can make a person pass out and die, while exposure to smaller amounts over a long period of time can result in damage to the brain, heart and other organs.

Precautions Against CO Poisoning

• Professional installation. For any combustion appliance going into your home, make sure that an experienced certified professional will perform the work. This isn’t something you want an amateur to be handling, even if it’s yourself. It’s crucial that all of the manufacturer’s specifications are followed, and that the chimney, flue and venting system are installed per professional standards.

• Annual maintenance. Over time, combustion equipment that was properly installed may become less safe, perhaps through deterioration, shifting or movement, or some other cause. For example, an exhaust pipe may inadvertently get knocked out of whack, or a utility room where the furnace and water heater are located may no longer be properly ventilated. Regular professional maintenance, at least once yearly, will prevent this from happening. While your HVAC technician is performing maintenance on your gas furnace, checking gas supply and exhaust pipes and ducts, ask them to take a look at your water heater and gas stove as well. If you have a chimney, schedule an inspection and cleaning every year. The chimney-sweep will look at whether the chimney liner has cracked or mortar has become loose between sections of the liner. When this happens, combustion gases and even flames can escape the chimney and create a potentially deadly situation.

• If you don’t have them already, install quality CO detectors in your home, preferably on each floor. In a single-level home, install one in each section of the house, with sleeping areas being a priority. Either use dedicated CO detectors or combination smoke/CO detectors. Follow manufacturer guidelines for checking and replacing batteries unless the detectors are hardwired into your home’s electrical system.