Filter
Top Products
21
CHAPTER 5: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CO
WHAT IS CO?
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas produced
when fossil fuels do not burn completely, or are
exposed to heat (usually fire). Electrical appliances
typically do not produce CO.
These fuels include:
Wood, coal, charcoal, oil, natural gas, gasoline,
kerosene, and propane.
Common appliances are often sources of CO. If they
are not properly maintained, are improperly ventilated,
or malfunction, CO levels can rise quickly. CO is a
real danger now that homes are more energy
efficient. “Air-tight” homes with added insulation,
sealed windows, and other weatherproofing can
“trap” CO inside.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
These symptoms are related to CO POISONING and
should be discussed with ALL household members.
Mild Exposure:
Slight headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (“flu-like”
symptoms).
Medium Exposure:
Throbbing headache, drowsiness, confusion, fast
heart rate.
Extreme Exposure:
Convulsions, unconsciousness, heart and lung failure.
Exposure to Carbon Monoxide can cause brain dam-
age, death.
Some individuals are more sensitive to CO
than others, including people with cardiac or
respiratory problems, infants, unborn babies,
pregnant mothers, or elderly people can be more
quickly and severely affected by CO. Members of
sensitive populations should consult their doctors
for advice on taking additional precautions.
FINDING THE SOURCE OF CO
AFTER AN ALARM
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas, which
often makes it difficult to locate the source of CO
after an alarm. These are a few of the factors that can
make it difficult to locate sources of CO:
• House well ventilated before the
investigator arrives.
• Problem caused by “backdrafting.”
• Transient CO problem caused by
special circumstances.
BRK Brands, Inc. shall not be obligated to pay for
any carbon monoxide investigation or service call.