SAFE IN 60
Safe in 60: How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Nov 12, 2018, 7:00 AM | Updated: 9:16 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Carbon monoxide poisoning is much more common during the winter months, but there are steps you can take to protect your family.
Carbon monoxide is often called the “invisible killer” because it is an odorless, colorless gas.
Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels burn incompletely. That can happen anytime you burn fuel in heating or cooking equipment, like a stove or furnace or fireplace.
To stop CO from harming you or your family, here is some advice from my friends in the Salt Lake City Fire Department.
Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Never run an engine indoors, even if the garage doors are open.
After a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow build-up.
Anyone can be at risk of CO exposure if there isn’t proper ventilation.
Some symptoms of poisoning are headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, confusion, or even chest pain.
If your family experiences those symptoms, get out of the house and call 911 immediately.
The best precaution is to have a working carbon monoxide monitor on every floor of your home. Make sure it’s not blocked by any furniture. Consider purchasing one that includes a digital readout. In a well ventilated home, no CO should be present, however a reading of 35 ppm or higher is when you should be concerned about long term exposure
Test your alarm every month, and if your monitor runs on batteries, be sure to replace them every year.
More safety information from the National Fire Protection Association can be found here.