Carbon Monoxide -- Invisible Killer

Many folks die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning--because they aren't aware of what the dangers are. Whether it's from an improperly installed space heater, or from a barbeque hibachi in their kitchen, or from a fire-place flue not correctly working--if the fuel is not being efficiently burned (oxidized), one of the resulting gases is carbon monoxide.

The deadly gas is produced by fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ovens, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters, as well as fireplaces, charcoal or gas grills, and wood-burning stoves. Also produced by combustion engines--such as those found in vehicles or electric generators or compressors.

Never remain in an enclosed area in which these fuel-burning items are running or burning. And always make sure that there is plenty of ventilation in any areas in which these items are present.

Make sure the exhaust vents and chimneys for your house are inspected and cleaned regularly (no less than yearly) to ensure that they aren't blocked by leaves, residue, or animal nests.

Make sure the areas around your gas space heating unit and gas water heater have proper ventilation--this may require an opening in the wall of the enclosure, your garage, or the outside closet where the appliances reside.

Exposure to carbon monoxide in high enough levels (and these levels don't have to be very high--higher levels will just make the symptoms more intense and will work more quickly) can cause symptoms similar to flu--dizziness, severe headache, nausea, sleepiness, disorientation, fatigue, weakness--but without the fever. For low levels of carbon monoxide that fluctuate throughout the day or year, these symptoms progress generally slowly and can build over time in an almost imperceptible manner.

If you or any members of your family (particularly those who stay in your house for much of the day) have the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning (or if your carbon monoxide alarms sound), call 9-1-1 or your local emergency support agency. Leave your home and don't go back inside until it has been inspected by qualified inspectors (your local power/gas company, your local fire department, or certified and registered HVAC --heating, ventilation, air-conditioning--contractor).

Yup, in California, as of July 1, 2011, the Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act (SB183) will require all single-family homes with an attached garage or a fossil fuel source to install carbon monoxide alarms within the home by July 1, 2011. Owner of multi-family leased or rental dwellings, such as apartment buildings, have until January 1, 2013 to comply with the law. (Of course, how the secret police will enforce this is questionable. Good intentions, though. Good for paving the road to ... ah, nevermind.)

Quick facts:

Carbon monoxide can be produced by heaters, fireplaces, furnaces and idling vehicles.

Carbon monoxide detectors must be approved by the State Fire Marshal's Office. A list of approved detectors can be found at http://osfm.fire.ca.gov/. Scroll down to the "Hot Topics" section and click on "Carbon Monoxide Information and Approved Devices."

Please click on the following link for the Advisory from the San Jose Fire Department: http://www.sjfd.org/PubEd/CarbonMonoxideAdvisory.pdf.

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