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EAST MONTPELIER FIRE DEPARTMENT
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CARBON MONOXIDE
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What is Carbon Monoxide?
A colorless, odorless gas formed when a compound containing carbon
burns in completely because there is not enough oxygen.
What should I know about CO poisoning?
Carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) is a colorless, odorless gas
produced by burning material containing carbon. Carbon monoxide
poisoning can cause brain damage and death. You can't see it, smell it, or
taste it; but carbon monoxide can kill you.
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in
America. This odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas is known as the "Silent
Killer." The Centers for Disease Control estimates that carbon monoxide
poisoning claims nearly 500 lives, and causes more than 15,000 visits to
hospital emergency departments annually.
Carbon monoxide is produced by common household appliances. When
these appliances are not ventilated properly or are malfunctioning, carbon
monoxide emitted by these appliances can build up. See below for a list of
appliances that can emit carbon monoxide.
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning such as headaches, nausea,
and fatigue, are often mistaken for the flu because the deadly gas goes
undetected in a home. Prolonged exposure can lead to brain damage and
even death.
Please know that protecting your home with a carbon monoxide detector is just as important as
protecting your home with both types of smoke detectors (please see the Smoke Detectors page). Remember to change the batteries in
your CO detector twice a year. If your CO detector activates in
emergency.emergency.
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