What can be done to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

There are a few basic things that can be done to prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. First and foremost keep your boiler, water heater, stove and other appliances in good working order. Make sure that they are installed properly and are well ventilated.

If you are on the Gulf Coast or Atlantic Coast or anywhere that hurricanes are an issue, do not operate your generators inside your home or inside your garage with the garage door open. There is not enough ventilation and you are at an increased risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. The same holds true for other parts of the country that deal with snow and ice storms that knock out the power. Keep the generator away from the house and out of the garage.

Planning ahead can go a long way to protect you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. Have a concrete slab poured with anchor points to secure your generator. Have it placed at least 10 to 20 feet away from your home, preferably in your back yard where it is more secure.  Also be mindful of the placement of your generator as it relates to your neighbors, as the last thing you would want to do is cause them to suffer Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. This will give you peace of mind about the security of your generator and peace of mind as to the safety of your family and neighbors from an inadvertent exposure to Carbon Monoxide.

Install Carbon Monoxide Alarms throughout your home. Make sure that you check them regularly to ensure they are working properly and replace them as often as the manufacturer suggests. According to the National Fire Protection Association some 93% of homes have smoke alarms, yet the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that only 15% have carbon monoxide alarms.  

A carbon monoxide monitor with an audible alarm works much like a home smoke alarm and beeps loudly when the sensors detect carbon monoxide. If the alarm sounds, evacuate the building. People who have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning should seek emergency medical care. Call the fire department to investigate.  

You should also inspect your home for potential Carbon Monoxide hazards. Your home heating system, chimney, and flue must be inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every year. Keep chimneys clear of bird and squirrel nests, leaves, and residue to ensure proper ventilation. Be sure your furnace and other appliances, such as gas ovens, ranges, and cook tops, are inspected for adequate ventilation. Do not burn charcoal inside your house, even inside of your fireplace. Have your gas fireplace inspected each fall to ensure the pilot light burns safely.  

Do not operate gasoline-powered engines in confined areas such as garages or basements. Do not leave your car, mower, or other vehicle running in an attached garage, even with if you have the garage door open. If the wind is blowing the wrong way, it could allow the Carbon Monoxide to build up in your garage and create a potential danger to you and your family.  

Make sure that  the exhaust flues or ducts for appliances such as water heaters, ranges, and clothes dryers are not blocked or sealed shut, as this can create an environment for Carbon Monoxide to accumulate and become dangerous to you and your family. The cost in time and money for properly maintaining your appliances, fireplace, chimneys and Carbon Monoxide Alarms in your home is far outweighed by the devastating and long term effects Carbon Monoxide Poisoning can have on you and your family.

At work, observe your surroundings. If gas, propane or other combustion engines are going to be used make sure there is sufficient ventilation. Also make sure that there is some monitoring going on for Carbon Monoxide Levels. Just because a warehouse is big, does not mean it is ventilated enough to run gas, propane or other combustion engines inside of it.  If generators are being used where you work make sure that someone has checked on the ventilation situation. You would not believe how many people will use a small generator inside to work and not even think about the exhaust. By observing your surroundings at work and making sure that your employer has thought ahead you will be protecting yourself, your fellow employees and your employer from a Carbon Monoxide tragedy.

Lastly, if you are working on your boat or car, make sure you have enough ventilation in the area you are working in. There are many tragic stories of people who have been killed working in their garages or in the engine compartment of their boat because there was not enough ventilation available. Remember concentrations of Carbon Monoxide can increase rapidly and before you know it be at such significant levels to render you incapable of recognizing or reacting to the danger posed. Be smart think before you work on your car or boat. Don’t work by yourself; let someone know what you are doing. If possible have carbon monoxide monitoring to protect you from the risk of carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Additionally, have your exhaust system checked regularly on your boat and car. The last thing you want is to have a exhaust leak expose you and your family to Carbon Monoxide when you are driving or out having fun on the lake or ocean in your boat. Prevention is the key when it comes to Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. If you take a common sense approach to your activities and what is going on around you, you will have a better chance to avoid inadvertent Carbon Monoxide Exposure and Poisoning.