HARTFORD, Conn.— As the heating season is now in full swing and with multiple winter storms in the forecast, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) reminds residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO). To stay safe in their homes, residents should have their heating systems serviced, and carbon monoxide detectors installed and maintained. DPH also warns against the improper use of portable generators during power outages.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible odorless gas that can be fatal. It forms when fuels like gasoline, natural gas, propane, wood, charcoal, and kerosene do not burn completely. Breathing carbon monoxide can deprive the body of oxygen, and may lead to illness, unconsciousness, and death.
CO detectors are especially important given the number of unintentional CO poisoning cases reported each year. In 2023, there were 126 emergency department visits and 17 hospitalizations due to unintentional CO exposure in Connecticut. In an average year, there are approximately seven deaths resulting from unintentional CO exposure in Connecticut.
“The tragic reality is that most of these carbon monoxide poisonings and deaths are completely preventable,” said DPH Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD. “It is very important to learn how carbon monoxide gas can harm you and what you can do to keep your loved ones safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter, especially if you lose power during a winter storm.”
Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Headache, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, nausea or vomiting, and loss of consciousness.
- If several members of a household experience these symptoms when they are home but feel better when they are away from the home, there may be a carbon monoxide problem.
What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms?
- Get out of the house immediately and seek medical help if you, a family member, or guest has unexplained/sudden onset of symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Call 911 from a cell phone or neighbor’s home and the Connecticut Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
How Do I Know If My Home Has Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide alarms are the only way to know if the deadly gas is present in your home. DPH recommends that all residents with fuel burning appliances or equipment (such as gas or oil furnaces, wood, kerosene or pellet stoves, or gas stoves, ovens, fireplaces, or dryers) install a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor of their home and near all sleeping areas to alert them of the presence of carbon monoxide. It is preferable to mount the alarms on the wall rather than the ceiling. New batteries should be installed according to manufacturer’s instructions and alarms should be replaced every seven to ten years, as the sensors degrade.
How Can I Stay Safe?
- Never use portable generators, charcoal or gas grills, gas or propane powered pressure washers, saws or other fuel powered equipment inside your home, garage, carport, basement, or other enclosed spaces. Opening windows and doors and operating fans is not enough to prevent buildup of carbon monoxide in a home.
- Install a carbon monoxide alarm on each floor of your home & outside of each bedroom.
- Make sure the exhaust pipe on your standby generator is pointing away from the house.
- Place portable generators at least 20 feet from the house.
- Make sure gas dryer vents and automobile tail pipes are not blocked by snow.
- Have your heating systems, chimney flues, gas appliances, wood stoves, and generators checked every year, and cleaned and serviced as needed by qualified heating/appliance contractors.
For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention contact your local health department, or the:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
(860) 509-7740
www.ct.gov/dph/co
Connecticut Poison Control Center
(800) 222-1222
https://health.uconn.edu/poison-control/