Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Keep Your Family Safe

Often called a “silent killer," carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell, taste or color. Carbon monoxide is produced by many common household appliances and can quickly reach deadly levels in poorly ventilated spaces.

“While fire generates visible smoke that will sting your eyes and make you cough, carbon monoxide gives no such warnings,” says Matthew Marx, MD, a pediatric critical care physician at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. “It’s essential to ensure homes are properly protected from this serious health hazard.”

Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is released by any fuel-burning appliance or engine. Common sources of carbon monoxide include:

• Furnaces
• Gas stoves
• Natural gas-powered water heaters
• Fireplaces
• Charcoal grills
• Automobile and lawnmower engines
• Portable generators

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

At low levels, carbon monoxide exposure doesn’t cause any symptoms. Typically, the first and most obvious symptom is a headache with throbbing temples. Other early symptoms may include:

• Weakness
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Blurred vision

As exposure continues and carbon monoxide levels increase in a person’s blood, symptoms often include confusion and loss of consciousness. Continued exposure will eventually lead to coma and death due to cardiorespiratory failure.

“The onset of symptoms is very subtle in babies and young children, because they can’t express what they’re feeling,” says Dr. Marx. “A baby or toddler who is experiencing the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may just appear to be fussy. The grave danger is for the parent to put the child down for a nap and then lie down because they’re not feeling well either.”

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The number one way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning it to install carbon monoxide detectors in the hallway near each sleeping area in your home. Experts recommend testing your carbon monoxide detectors at least once a month. Most detectors have a test button: If an alarm doesn’t sound when you press the button, the detector may need new batteries or to be replaced altogether.

You should also change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector every six months. A good time to do this is when you adjust your clocks for daylight saving time.

Other ways to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• If your home loses power, never use a portable generator indoors, including in your basement or garage. Generators can produce fatal levels of carbon monoxide in just minutes, even when doors and windows are open. Also, make sure your generator is placed at least 20 feet from any window, door or vent in your house before you run it.
• Never run any gasoline-powered equipment (lawnmowers, snow blowers, etc.) in closed garages or other enclosed spaces.
• Never idle a car in a garage that is attached to a house, even with the garage door open. Carbon monoxide fumes can build up rapidly both in the garage and the living area of your home.
• Use electrical space heaters when possible, which don’t produce carbon monoxide (be sure to follow manufacturer precautions). Only use fuel-burning space heaters (those that run on kerosene, propane, wood, etc.) in well-ventilated areas.
• Schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning every year. Always make sure your fireplace damper is open before starting a fire and stays open long after the fire goes out.
• Never use a gas oven to heat your home.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors.
• Service your furnace, water heater and any other gas or coal-burning appliances with a qualified technician every year.

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At University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s, our pediatric critical care team provides compassionate care and life-saving medical treatment for critically ill and injured children.