CO prevents your blood from absorbing oxygen leading to loss of consciousness and, in extreme cases, death. It is slightly lighter than air and would tend to rise up as it enters a space.
Unborn babies, infants, seniors, pets and people with coronary or respiratory problems are extremely vulnerable.
Exposure to CO can cause flu–like symptoms without a fever, including:
- headaches
- nausea
- dizziness
- drowsiness or fatigue
- burning eyes
- confusion
- unconsciousness
- loss of coordination
- Leave the house/building immediately and get medical help.
- Call 911.
If you experience these symptoms while inside, but feel better outdoors or away from home, CO may be the cause.
Consult your doctor and advise him/her of the potential exposure to CO poisoning.
Be alert to these signs:
- Stale, stuffy air in your home.
- The pilot light of your furnace or other gas–fired equipment keeps going out.
- A sharp smell of rotten eggs when furnaces and appliances turn on.
- A normally clear blue burner flame becomes "lazy" and mostly yellow or pilot light turns mostly yellow. Note that a little yellow will always be present. Small bits of airborne dust will go through the flame causing some yellow.
- Chalky, white powder on a chimney or exhaust vent pipe or soot build–up around the exhaust vent.
- Excessive moisture on walls or windows in areas with natural gas equipment.
- Be sure to check your humidifier settings as well. If the humidifier is turned up too much, this can also cause moisture build up on windows and walls.
- Your carbon monoxide alarm sounds
CO is a by–product of burning fuels, including wood, heating oil, propane, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel, coal, charcoal, and natural gas. All fuel–burning equipment and appliances are potential sources for carbon monoxide.
The natural occurring products of combustion are as follows: carbon dioxide, water, vapour, nitrogen and heat. Carbon monoxide is NOT a regular part of these products unless there is a problem.
- Natural gas heating systems and appliances that are not properly maintained.
- Gas–fired equipment in an enclosed space, which has an inadequate fresh air supply for venting of exhausts.
- Dirt and blockage such as a blocked chimney or flue.
- Careless use of equipment, for example, running gasoline–powered equipment in an attached garage.
- Using equipment which consumes household air. A roaring fire can use up to ten times as much air as your furnace. If possible, open a window near the wood fireplace, helping replace the air that is going up the chimney.
- Tobacco smoking also contributes small amounts of CO into the air.
Natural gas appliances that are properly installed and maintained should not release carbon monoxide. To operate safely, any fuel–burning appliances must have:
- An adequate supply of fresh air.
- Effective venting that carries exhaust outdoors
The Carbon Monoxide Safety Association recommends annual inspection of all natural gas appliances by a qualified technician or when you add a new appliance or after a chimney fire.
Between annual chimney inspections, keep the chimney, flue and external openings of all exhaust vents clear of insulation, leaves, birds' nests or debris.
You should also:
- Maintain good air supply and ventilation for your fuel–burning equipment.
- Never run a lawnmower, snow blower or vehicle engine inside.
- Never use a charcoal or gas barbecue inside your home.
- Make sure that your gas water heater's combustion air openings (at the bottom of the tank) and the opening below the draft diverter (on top of the tank next to the flue duct) remain unblocked.
- Keep the furnace fan compartment door closed and the panels in place when operating. Also keep the chimney cleanout access door closed.
- If you've partitioned off your furnace and water heater, you may need additional ventilation, such as openings on the furnace room door.
- If you have a natural gas clothes dryer, be sure the exhaust duct is vented to the outside and has a hood. Clean out any lint or debris and check that the flapper moves freely.
- When your fireplace, coal or wood stove is operating, open a window and close warm air registers. You can also install a fresh air duct directly to the fireplace so that it won't steal air from your furnace.
- Run exhaust fans briefly as prolonged use can remove air and waste heat
Carbon monoxide alarms are sold in hardware, department and other retail stores. No matter what make or model you choose, always follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing, maintaining and testing the device.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed, maintained and replaced as per the manufacturer's instruction. A smoke detector won't detect carbon monoxide.
Always follow the manufactures instructions on the placement of the alarm.
- CGA blue flame symbol
- Approved to CSA 6.19 or UL 2034 standard
- Reset button
Open windows and doors to ventilate your home. Verify if anyone in your household has symptoms of exposure to carbon monoxide. If yes,
- leave your house immediately
- seek medical help
- call 911 and/or Enbridge Gas New Brunswick
Reset the CO alarm as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Check the batteries. Some alarms sound when batteries are weak..
- Air out unit.
- Check if there is humidity from bathroom or kitchen, chemical fumes or exhaust from a gasoline–powered engine.
- Check if there are fumes from a wood–burning stove or fireplace, make sure the damper is open and a window is open.
- If you cannot determine the cause and the alarm continues to sound, leave windows and doors open and call Enbridge Gas New Brunswick.