Skip to content
WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
Other search tools:Symptoms|Doctors|Videos
First Aid Center
Exclamation Point

Please call 911 immediately if you are having chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, sudden weakness or numbness, or if you think you have a medical emergency.

Font Size
A
A
A

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Prevention

Steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning include the following:

  • Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home and near sleeping areas. Detectors that have been verified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and have been manufactured after October 1995 conform to minimum alarm requirements. Those marked UL 2034 or IAS 6-96 have met the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines. Follow the directions for installing and using the detector carefully. Be prepared by knowing what to do if the detector alarm sounds-tell everyone in the house or building to get out, and call the fire department or your local utility company from a nearby phone.
  • Even if you are using a carbon monoxide detector, have your heating system inspected each year.
  • Don't ignore possible symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness, especially if more than one person in your home or workplace has these symptoms.

Heat sources

  • Have your heating appliances, chimneys, and vents inspected each year. All appliances should be working and vented properly to allow gas to escape from enclosed areas.
  • Look at appliances, chimneys, and vents for visible soot, rust, stains, blockage, or corrosion.
  • Don't use kerosene or propane heaters in an enclosed area such as a recreational vehicle, camper, motor home, trailer, or tent.
  • Don't use a kitchen oven, especially a gas oven, to heat your home.
  • Don't close the fireplace or wood/pellet stove damper before the fire is completely out.

Car exhaust

  • Don't sit in a parked car with the windows closed and the engine running.
  • Don't run the car engine in an enclosed or semi-enclosed area, such as a garage, even if the garage door is open.
  • Don't ride in the back of a pickup truck with a camper shell.

Cooking

Don't burn charcoal or use a charcoal or propane grill indoors or in a recreational vehicle, camper, motor home, trailer, or tent.

Other sources

  • Don't place outdoor power generators or pressure washers near windows or doors of your home.
  • Don't smoke cigarettes or be near someone who is smoking in a poorly ventilated room.
  • Don't use paint remover that contains methylene chloride. (Methylene chloride converts to carbon monoxide in the body.)

For more information, see how to monitor household carbon monoxide levels.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: March 18, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Next Article:

Health Solutions From Our Sponsors