Home Safety and the Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

By: Annabelle Krieger
Submitted: 2008-08-29 13:31:55
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Carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of death by poison in the United States every year. This is because a great number of people are unaware of this danger lurking inside the home. This odorless, tasteless and colorless gas can seep out of seemingly benign home appliances to claim the life of you and your family with no warning. The poison causes your body to become incapable of transferring oxygen to internal organs resulting in death. Low level exposure is expected in many homes and typically does not cause any health problems while moderate level exposure can cause people to feel nauseous, dizzy and may impair vision. High level exposure can be deadly. Inspections of home appliances and heating systems can greatly reduce the chances of lethal exposure to carbon monoxide. 

Most homes have some capacity to create carbon monoxide. Relatively low levels are around 0.5 to 5 parts per million (ppm). Levels near sources of carbon monoxide, such as a gas oven or wood stove, can be around 5 to 15 ppm. High levels of carbon monoxide, usually found around poorly adjusted stoves or furnaces, are considered 30 ppm or higher. You can also find high levels of carbon monoxide in kerosene and gas heaters, leaking chimneys and furnaces, fireplaces, generators and other gasoline-powered equipment and automobile exhaust. Worn or improperly fitted combustion devices, such as furnaces, are also another common source of high carbon monoxide levels.

It is simple to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide if you take a few steps to make sure your family is safe. Keep appliances such as stoves, dryers, and furnaces or other heaters in check. If you use a space heater, make sure it has proper ventilation. Gas stoves should have an exhaust fan installed. Check the EPA's website to insure that your woodstove meets the standards for woodstove emissions. Have your heating unit serviced by a technician annually. That way, if a leak is found, you can have it repaired immediately. Addressing these kinds of problems in a prompt manner may circumvent serious threats to your safety. Do not leave your car to idle in a closed garage, as a tragedy can happen very quickly this way.

Another preventative measure is to buy a carbon monoxide alarm. This device will sound when there is a level of carbon monoxide that is dangerous. One of the most straightforward methods of prevention however, is to keep the sources of carbon monoxide in your home working properly, so that leaks do not result in exposure to this dangerous gas.

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