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# Protecting your family from CO poisoning
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/co_poisoning_0113110717/
- Published: 2011-01-13T08:15:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T16:19:54.000Z
- Description: Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and the EPA says its symptoms - headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue - are often mistaken for flu. Federal agencies advise keeping gas appliances adjusted, venting stoves outdoors, never idling a car in the garage, and installing a CO alarm.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Environment, Health News, #vivvo-import

by Aimee Keenan-Greene  
  
With the winter months upon us, its time to think about a silent killer that threatens you and your children. 

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. It is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes. CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home, according to the [Envirnomental](http://www.epa.gov/iaq/co.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) Protection Agency. 

CO causes symptoms that are often mistaken for the flu, like headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue, says the EPA.

CO is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, burning charcoal and wood, and gas ranges and heating systems. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed spaces, according to the [Centers for Disease Control](http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) and Prevention.

  
Carbon monoxide poisoning is fatal at very high concentrations.  
  
Here are the federal recommendations for protecting your loved ones:

- Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
- Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
- Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
- Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
- Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
- Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
- Do not idle the car inside garage.

The [Consumer Product Safety Commission](http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml01/01069.html?ref=foodconsumer.org) (CPSC) recommends every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. CPSC also urges consumers to have a professional inspection of all fuel- burning appliances -- including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers, water heaters, and space heaters -- to detect deadly carbon monoxide leaks.

Anthony Gemma of Rhode Island based [Gem Plumbing and Heating ](http://www.gemplumbing.com/about-press%5Freleases%5Fview.php?id=9&ref=foodconsumer.org)says when it comes to inspections, a key tool for checking home furnaces is an infrared video device called 'The Inspector'.

"The inspector is a tiny video camera on a flexible stem that can reach far into the interior recesses and around the entire exterior of the heat exchanger...because it senses infrared lightwaves, it can literally 'see in the dark.' As a result, technicians using the device can detect cracks in furnace heat exchangers with far greater accuracy and completeness than traditional visual inspections.", added Gemma.

The CDC reports from 1999-2004 [CO poisoning ](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5650a1.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org)killed 16,447 people in the US.

**Additional resources:**  
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at (800) 638-2772  
Gem Heating and Plumbing 1-877-GEM PLUMBING

US Department of Labor - [OSHA](http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/searchresults.relevance?p%5Ftext=carbon%20monoxide&p%5Fstatus=CURRENT&p%5Ftitle=&ref=foodconsumer.org)

Suggested by the author:

- [Breathe easier indoors this holiday season](http://www.examiner.com/children-s-health-in-providence/breathing-easier-indoors-this-holiday-season?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Preventing Accidental Child Poisoning](http://www.examiner.com/children-s-health-in-providence/preventing-accidental-child-poisoning?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Is Your Cookware Raising Your Kid's Cholesterol ?](http://www.examiner.com/children-s-health-in-providence/is-your-cookware-raising-your-kid-s-cholesterol?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Air Pollution Effects Childhood Asthma](http://www.examiner.com/children-s-health-in-providence/air-pollution-effects-childhood-asthma?ref=foodconsumer.org)
- [Top 5 Worst Fast Food Kid Meals And Why](http://www.examiner.com/children-s-health-in-providence/top-5-worst-fast-food-kid-meals-and-why?ref=foodconsumer.org)