What You Should Know About Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas formed when fossil fuels burn incompletely. It can be produced through faulty combustion in fuel-burning appliances.

Carbon monoxide is very toxic and it can be lethal.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

All fuel-burning appliances require adequate air supply and proper ventilation to take the products of combustion outside a building

Follow these tips to help prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating.

1. Keep chimneys, vents, exhaust ducts, flues and secondary air openings free from dirt, snow and other blockage.

2. Limit your use of exhaust fans. They can remove too much air if they’re used too long and fuel-burning appliances need a good supply of air.

3. Unless proper combustion air ducts have been installed, open a convenient or nearby fresh air supply, like a window, when you use a wood or coal fireplace or stove.

4. Keep your furnace and water heater in a clear and open area and install proper combustion air ducts.

5. Keep the door to the fan compartment on your furnace closed and secure at all times.

6. Don’t run vehicles inside an attached garage, even with the door open.

Know the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

They are:

• a headachy feeling

• tightness across your forehead and in your temples

• watering and burning of the eyes

• weariness, weakness, dizziness and vomiting

• loss of muscular control

Make the Right Call!

If you experience any of these symptoms, go outside into the fresh air. Call 911, your local fire department or your nearest ATCO Gas office from a neighbor’s house.

If you suspect a carbon monoxide problem but no one is ill, evaluate the situation. Go outside into the fresh air. Then return to your home, open the doors and windows to allow fresh air in and call ATCO Gas or another technician to inspect your appliances and check your home for other possible sources of carbon monoxide.

The first line of defense against CO is an annual inspection of all your fuel-burning appliances. The second line of defense is a properly installed CO detector.

The following publications will provide further information regarding carbon monoxide and the preventative measures you can take when operating fuel-burning appliances.

• Carbon Monoxide Backgrounder
• What can I do to prevent CO in my home?

Note: Viewing the PDF documents requires Adobe's Acrobat Reader. Readers for most systems are available without charge from Adobe.

Acrobat and the Acrobat logo are trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.