Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Is your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning? The Santa Clara County Fire Department can provide you with information about carbon monoxide detectors, the risks of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and how it can be prevented. For more information, please contact the Public Education Office.

A downloadable/printable information brochure about carbon monoxide detectors is available here or on the Forms page.

Carbon Monoxide

The Silent Killer

Facts

• According to the Center fof Disease Control (CDC), almost 500 unintentional deaths and more than 1700 suicides are related to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning each year in the United States. CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths.
• An estimated 15,000 people are treated annually for CO poisoning in hospital emergency rooms, but it is believed that many more are misdiagnosed or never seek medical care.
• California law now requires new and existing homes to have carbon monoxide alarms.

Symptoms Early exposure to CO mimics flu-like symptoms; headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath and fast heart rate.

CO Sources CO is a toxic gas that is odorless, tasteless and invisible. CO is produced when fossil fuels burn incompletely due to insufficient oxygen. Fuels include natural gas, propane, kerosene, gasoline, coal, wood and charcoal. Sources of CO include the furnace, water heater, gas kitchen range or cooktop, gas clothes dryer, fireplace, space heater, portable generator, charcoal grill, wood-burning stove or an idling vehicle in an attached garage.

CO Causes

• Improper installation or poor maintenance of appliances. Automobile exhaust.
• Inadequate ventilation of appliances, including fuel burning space heaters and portable generators.
• Energy efficient homes that have added insulation, sealed windows and other weatherproofing can become 'airtight' and trap CO inside.

If CO poisoning is suspected, open windows and doors for fresh air. Leave the house and call 9-1-1.

CO Exposure Age, overall health, length of exposure and the concentration of the exposure (measured in parts per million) all determine the degree to which CO affects a person. A source of carbon monoxide poisoning, such as a faulty furnace, kitchen range or water heater can produce up to 1600 ppm. A charcoal grill 3200 ppm and tailpipe exhaust can easily produce in excess of 70,000 ppm. The table below shows typical symptoms based on concentration and time of exposure.

Concentration & Time of Exposure - parts per million (ppm)

Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to activate before potentially life-threatening levels of CO are reached. To reduce nuisance alarms, there are also requirements that each alrarm must mee before it activates. (UL standard 2034)

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards for CO Alarms @ 85 decibels

Additional helpful links

Centers for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov (Fact Sheets available in multi-languages)

Consumer Product Safety Commission: www.cpsc.gov

Environmental Protection Agency: www.epa.gov

Federal Emergency Managment Agency (FEMA): www.fema.gov

For more multi-language information, also visit www.kingcounty.gov

HEAT YOUR HOME SAFELY

Doing a simple, ten minute check of a furnace can reduce the likelihood of serious danger from a malfunctioning system. Damaged or worn furnaces can emit lethal quantities of carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas which can cause sickness or even death.

Ten Point Furnace Safety Check:

• Look for cracked, rusted, misaligned or clogged vents.
• Inspect for soot in the burning area and vents - this can be an indication that the gas burner is not properly adjusted and requires servicing.
• Clean all dust and lint near the burning chamber. Please ensure that the thermostat is in the off position prior to cleaning.
• Check your flue assembly for alignment and rigidity; a small earthquake is all it takes to loosen the flue to allow the products of combustion into your home.
• Make sure the flame is blue - a yellow flame may be a sign that the burner could be out of adjustment.
• Securely fasten the door that covers the pilot light and burner area.
• Do not store or use combustible materials or liquids near any gas appliance.
• Clean or replace your furnace filter and make sure the blower door is properly secured.
• Check ducts for leaks and have them properly insulated.
• Look for cracked or frayed blower belts.

The use of open fires indoors to stay warm and save money can be deadly because burning wood and charcoal also releases carbon monoxide. Please take note of the following heating safety tips:

• Never use barbecues or charcoal inside your home, even in the fireplace.
• Never heat your home with a kerosene heater, gas range or other unvented appliances.
• Don't burn treated or painted wood in your fireplace.
• Be sure to keep combustible materials such as bedding, clothing, draperies, rugs and furniture a safe distance from heating appliances. Remember to turn them off when you leave the room for an extended period.
• Damaged or poorly functioning natural gas equipment can not only waste money by leaking or burning gas inefficiently, but can also produce excess amounts of carbon monoxide if not adjusted properly.

For a free safety inspection, please call PG&E at 1.800.743.5000. Some of the appliances that PG&E inspects include:

• Furnaces
• Water heaters
• Gas fireplaces
• Ovens
• Ranges
• Hot tubs / pool heaters
• Clothes dryers