Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Symptoms may resemble the flu- headache, tiredness, dizziness, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Breathing in a lot of CO gas can make you pass out or kill you.

There are no warning properties (no odor or taste) to let you know that you have been exposed to this deadly gas.  The only way to know is by installing a carbon monoxide alarm.  The alarm will sound when air concentrations inside of a building become dangerous, but sometimes symptoms can be felt even before the alarm sounds.  If several members of a household experience these symptoms when they are home, but feel better when they are away from the home, this may indicate a CO problem. Don’t wait for the alarm to sound.  Get people and pets out of the building immediately.  Call 911 once you are outside.

Carbon monoxide gas forms when fuels like gasoline, propane, natural gas, kerosene, wood, charcoal, and diesel fuel do not burn up completely.  Common sources include portable generators, propane, gasoline, or kerosene heaters, gas or oil furnaces, charcoal grills used indoors, gas appliances and motor vehicle exhaust.

Learn how to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning by clicking on the links below. You may also call your local health department or the Connecticut Department of Public Health (860-509-7740) for more information.

 Videos:

• The Quiet Killer (CDC)

• How Close is Too Close for Portable Generators? (NIST)

• Carbon Monoxide: Do this, Not That (CT DPH); Video script 
• El Monoxido de Carbono: Lo Que Yebe y No Debe Hace(CT DPH); Video script (Español)
• Where Should A Carbon Monoxide Detector Be Mounted? (NFPA)

Fact Sheets:

• You Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure  (CDC) Available in English and other languages by clicking on this link.
• Carbon Monoxide Hazards During Power Outage
• Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet (CT DPH)
• Monoxido de Carbono: El Asesino Silencioso (CT DPH)
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms (NFPA)
• CO Poisoning Prevention (CT DPH)

• Guidance on Maintaining Indoor Air Quality in Indoor Ice Rinks for Managers, Owners and Coaches 

 Gas Powered Engines & Tools:

Printable sign, posters & door hangers outreach:

• How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning when the power goes out
• Carbon Monoxide: Be Alarmed (CT DPH)
• CO Door Hanger (CT DPH)

• About Carbon Monoxide (45 seconds) (script)

• Public Act No. 13-272: AN ACT REQUIRING WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS AT THE TIME TITLE IS TRANSFERRED
• Public Act No. 12-184: AN ACT CONCERNING SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS AND ALARMS IN RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS.
• Public Act No. 11-248: AN ACT REQUIRING CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN ALL PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS.
• Public Act No. 05-161: AN ACT REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS IN NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS.

  • CO regulations (section R313.3, p.103)

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• CT Poison Control Center : Report a CO incident
• Michigan Department of Health: Carbon Monoxide 
• Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.: Exposing an Invisible Killer: The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide