Home Safety Tips: Part 1- Carbon Monoxide: How A Co Detector Can Save Your Life
Every year nearly 500 people die and approximately 1500 seek medical attention for carbon monoxide poisoning. The sad truth is that installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors within the home can prevent all these deaths. 
Carbon monoxide is the by product caused from burning natural gas, propane gas, kerosene, wood, coal, oil, gasoline and any organic fuel. It can be as simple as running a chainsaw or a space heater in a garage. Working on a motorcycle, ATV, or car engine with the vehicle running. Using a gas or charcoal grill in a confined improperly vented area.
Because carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and invisible it can cause severe damage and even death without anyone realizing their exposure. The only true way to protect from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning is with the use of detectors. As a home inspector I carry a portable one with me on all my jobs. At home we have one installed on every level of the house, in every bedroom, by both woodstoves and in the basement. I’m not saying everyone should go as over board as we have, but everyone should have at least 1 installed in their home.
I’ve listed some of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning below, but there are more:- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Confusion
- Problems walking
- Flu-like symptoms
- Impaired judgment
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
What should you do if you suspect exposure to carbon monoxide?
Open the door and leave the house immediately. Leaving the door open will help vent the home. If the exposure was severe enough to make you sick call your local fire department. They are better equipped to determine if there is a problem and to locate the source of the problem
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