Carbon Monoxide Dangers

As Floridians begin the task of preparing for a tropical storm or hurricane, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is urging the public to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) exposure by taking precautions with gas-powered appliances and charcoal or gas grills.

What is Carbon Monoxide? 

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and is highly poisonous. CO interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood to the rest of the body. 

Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases death.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning 

• Install a CO alarm in your home if you have combustion appliances or an attached garage.
• Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace.
• NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.
• ALWAYS locate the unit outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors. Follow the instructions that come with your generator.
• Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).
• Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.
• REMEMBER: you cannot see or smell CO and portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly.
• If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY.

What Should You Do If You Think You Have CO Poisoning? 

If you suspect you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning, open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and go outside.

Don’t ignore symptoms, especially if more than one person is feeling them. In cases of severe CO poisoning, call 911 emergency services or the Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms 

Consider installing CO alarms in your home. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the installation of CO alarms in every home. Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup according to manufacturer’s installation instructions. The CO alarm should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, CSA 6.19.01).

REMEMBER: CO alarms can be used as a backup but not as a replacement for proper use, placement and maintenance of your fuel-burning appliances or gas-powered portable equipment. Also, understand that CO alarms are designed to sound an alert at fairly high levels. Lower level CO exposure below the alarm threshold could still contribute to adverse health effects in susceptible individuals (e.g., persons with heart or lung disease).

Additional Prevention Resources 

Generators - English

Generadores - Spanish

Dèlco - Creole

For more information, please visit www.flhealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org