Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a natural by-product of combustion from fuel burning appliances and is invisible to human senses. It can cause health problems, brain damage, even death. Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to activate a warning before symptoms appear in healthy adults.
While CO alarms are designed to detect a CO leak before family members get sick, if the leak is severe enough, flu-like symptoms quickly appear. This is particularly common among younger or older family members who are more vulnerable to this poison.
In the last five years the Urbana Fire Rescue Services has responded to 169 carbon monoxide incidents, two of which resulted in a reading of 298 parts per million (ppm) and another at 40 ppm.
A residential style carbon monoxide detector will alarm at 35 ppm.
What to Do If Alarm Sounds
You should do the following procedure if your CO alarm activates:
- Gather all family members in a predesignated meeting place, and check to be sure everyone is present.
- Determine if anyone is experiencing poisoning symptoms, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or disorientation. If so, leave the building immediately, and call 911. Do not re-enter until responders say it is safe.
- If no symptoms are present, press your CO alarm’s reset button and turn off all potential sources of carbon monoxide, including any appliance or machine that runs on fossil fuel, such as a gas furnace, water heater, stove, oven, clothes dryer, space heater, fireplace, or car left running in an attached garage.
- Open doors and windows to let in fresh air.
- Call a trained service technician to check your appliances, flue, and chimney system.
Purchasing Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Compare the different types of alarms. Plug-in models load into an electrical outlet, and some have a battery backup in case the power goes out. Battery-powered models use a special battery pack that must be replaced as recommended.
Combination smoke and CO alarms are a good option if the smoke alarm needs replacing or is more than 10 years old.
Carefully read the labels, looking for the seal of an independent testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
Placement of Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Install alarms near sleeping areas and on every floor of the home. Locate the alarms at least five to six feet away from fuel-burning appliances. Follow manufacturer’s recommendations.
Carbon monoxide will diffuse across a room, allowing a working CO alarm to be placed at any height. This is different from a smoke alarm that must be placed high to capture the first signs of smoke, which rises.
To meet manufacturer directions, a CO alarm should be installed near a sleeping area, either high or low on the wall. Alarms should be installed at least 15 feet away from potential sources of combustion, and within 15 feet of sleeping areas.
If a CO alarm is installed too close to a potential source, it may be triggered when there is no immediate danger. For example, an alarm may be triggered when placed directly over a furnace or adjacent to a gas oven. Some appliances, when first turned on, may also emit small amounts of carbon monoxide.
All dwelling units are required by Illinois law to have at least one working carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of each room used for sleeping. (Public Act 094-0741)
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Just as smoke alarms have proven to be vital lifesaving devices, a CO alarm may save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Carbon Monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. At least 1,500 people die and 10,000 become ill from CO poisoning each year.
CO is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating. It is a by-product of combustion produced by common household appliances such as:
- Gas or oil furnaces
- Water heaters
- Clothes dryers
- Barbecue grills
- Fireplaces
- Wood burning stoves
- Gas ovens
- Car exhaust
Low-level symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu and are often misdiagnosed. Headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness are all non-specific symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Once in the bloodstream, CO combines with hemoglobin, the main component of red blood cells, to prevent life-sustaining oxygen from reaching vital organs in the body, such as the brain and heart.
While everyone is at risk from CO poisoning, medical experts report that children, unborn babies, the elderly, and those with heart or lung disorders are at greater risk of CO poisoning at lower thresholds of exposure.
CO poisoning is preventable. It is recommended every home have at least one CO alarm with an audible warning signal installed near the sleeping area. Without this alarm, you may not be aware CO is present.