Hidden Causes of CO Emission
• Internal appliance damage or malfunctioning components
• Improper burner adjustment
• Hidden blockage or damage in chimneys
Determine if anyone in the household is at high-risk for CO poison-
ing:
Many cases of reported CO poisoning indicate that while victims are
aware they are not well, they become so disoriented they are unable
to save themselves by either exiting the building or calling for assis-
tance.
You should take extra precautions to protect high-risk persons from
CO exposure because they may experience ill effects from CO at
levels that would not ordinarily affect a healthy adult. Be sure to
check infants or small children in the home for signs of possible CO
poisoning because they might have trouble explaining their symp-
toms. Infants and children are more susceptible to CO poisoning
than a healthy adult.
Pregnant women should be aware that their unborn fetus could be
harmed by exposure to CO, even when the mother suffers no ill
effect. Any pregnant woman who suspects she may have been
exposed to CO should immediately contact her physician.
What You Should Not Do...
• Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, cabin, mobile home
or caravan.
• Never install, service, or convert fuel-burning appliances from
one type to another without proper knowledge, skills and tools.
• Never use a gas range, oven, or clothes dryer for heating.
• Never operate unvented gas-burning appliances, such as
kerosene or natural gas space heaters, in a closed room.
• Never operate gasoline-powered engines (like vehicles, motorcy-
cles, lawn mowers, garden equipment, or power tools) in con-
fined areas such as garages or basements, even if an outside
door or a window is open.
• Never ignore a safety device when it shuts off an appliance.
• Never ignore a CO alarm.
What You Should Know Before the Alarm Sounds
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