Why Do I Need a Home Carbon Monoxide CO Detector?

A series of carbon monoxide poisonings in Alabama this year could have been prevented by low-cost alarms, available at any home improvement store, heating system maintenance, and combustion safety testing.

CO poisoning cases in the US

Last week, 66-year-old David Simpson died and his roommate was sickened by exposure to the odorless gas in New Market. They were running a generator inside their home because the electricity had been shut off.

In October, a man died from carbon monoxide poisoning inside his RV at the Talledega Superspeedway. On October 19, Craig Franklin Morgan and his wife, Jami Allison Morgan, 38, were found unresponsive by friends in their RV at the South Campground outside the track. Craig Morgan was pronounced dead at the scene and his wife was taken to the hospital.

One man died and two were hospitalized by carbon monoxide poisoning April 15 in Rainsville. The three were found unconscious inside a home where a generator was in use. DeKalb County Sheriff Jimmy Harris said “I want to caution anyone using a kerosene heater, generator, or any other type of equipment that would emit deadly fumes to read the precautions and operating manual supplied with the equipment and be sure the instructions are followed for the ventilating procedures.” What he didn’t say was an inexpensive carbon monoxide detector would have alerted them of the danger.

Fifteen guests at the Ross Bridge and Resort in Hoover were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning, but no one died, after experiencing varying levels of flu-like symptoms, ranging from headaches to nausea from exposure to the gas leaking from a furnace March 29. Firefighters responded when a woman was found unconscious inside the hotel where they found elevated carbon monoxide levels and evacuated two floors until the furnace and duct system could be repaired.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers advice on home CO safety:

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure. Long-term exposure to low levels of CO is a chronic health problem in the US

Who is at risk from CO poisoning?

All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Fatality is highest among Americans 65 and older. Most poisonings occur in homes, most during the winter months from December through April when heating systems are in use and homes are closed tight, causing elevated levels of the gas.

Harmful exposures to CO, especially those occurring at home, are preventable. Basic preventive measures, including properly installing and maintaining home heating systems, installing CO detectors, and venting cooking and fuel-burning appliances, can minimize exposures

How can I prevent CO poisoning?

1. Install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. . No area of the home, including the kitchen, garage, and mechanical room should experience long-term CO levels above 10ppm. OSHA rules limit workforce exposure to CO to 35ppm. Choose an alarm with digital display so you will know about low level exposure to CO.
2. Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. All AlabamaWISE contractors can perform Combustion Appliance Zone testing to diagnose elevated risk of CO exposure.

Carbon Monoxide Safety at Home

• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don’t have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• All gas appliances must be vented so that CO will not build up in your home, cabin, or camper. Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.
• Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside your home or cabin.
• How can I heat my house safely or cook when the power is out? Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors. Using a grill indoors will cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent.
• Never run your car or other combustion machinery inside an attached garage. CO can seep through cracks or be drawn into the home’s ventilation system.