The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

 What is Carbon Monoxide?  CO is an invisible, odorless gas that is produced by burning wood, coal, charcoal, natural gas, gasoline, propane, oil, methane and other common fuels.  CO is also produced by automobiles and other gasoline or diesel engines.  Electrical equipment does not produce carbon monoxide. 

 What are potential sources of CO?  Fuel burning appliances like: portable heater, gas or wood burning fireplace, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer.  Damaged or insufficient venting such as corroded or disconnected water heater vent pipe can also be a source.  Lastly, operating a barbecue grill or vehicle in an enclosed area like a garage can create a CO problem.

 What is the danger?  Each year, hundreds of people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.  Many of these deaths could have been prevented by installing CO alarms in the home.  CO enters your body, undetected, through your breathing.  CO poisoning can be confused with the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses.  High levels of CO can cause death within just a few minutes.  A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a short period of time. 

 What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?  The symptoms of CO poisoning vary by level of exposure. 

Mild Exposure - Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (flue-like symptoms)

Medium Exposure - Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate

Extreme Exposure – Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure, brain damage and death.

 What to do?  When you hear the sound of a CO alarm, immediately go to a fresh air location and call either Public Safety (860) 685-3333 or 911 for help.  Stay at the fresh air location until emergency personnel tell you it is safe to reenter your residence.  If the trouble signal sounds or you hear unusual beeping, call Customer Service (860) 685-3400 or Public Safety (860) 685-3333.

 Carbon Monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms!  You should know the difference between the sound of a smoke alarm and the sound of a CO alarm.  Do NOT push the “TEST” button on your CO detector - it will send a false alarm to the fire department. If you have more questions about your CO detector please call Campus Fire Safety (860) 685-3780. 

 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors