CO Detectors
Leading safety groups and the CPSC agree: Every home should have at least one carbon monoxide detector. It’s best to have one on each floor. Be sure one is placed on the ceiling or high on the wall near your bedrooms.
Preventing CO Emissions at Home
Detectors are your last line of defense. To prevent carbon monoxide from invading your home in the first place, make sure your furnace, water heater, dryer, stove, and other fuel-burning appliances are properly maintained. The CPSC recommends having a qualified service technician inspect your home heating system annually. Chimneys and flues should be checked for blockages and leaks. Don’t leave your car engine running in the garage, especially if your garage is attached to the house. Entire families have been wiped out when someone left the motor on and fumes seeped through the home’s walls. Some newer appliances turn off automatically if there is a malfunction. Don’t try to operate an appliance that keeps shutting off; call a repairman. Some carbon monoxide poisonings occur during power outages when families turn to alternative heat sources, such as gas stoves or even charcoal grills. This should never be done; it is extremely dangerous. If you use a portable generator to provide electricity during an outage, keep it outside so the exhaust remains out there.
Got Symptoms?
If your family experiences symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek medical help. Even if your own symptoms are mild, your baby could be suffering more severe effects and need prompt medical attention.
