Have all fuel-burning appliances (such as oil or gas heaters, stoves, water heaters, and space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves) inspected each year.

Safe use of fuel-burning tools and appliances

Do not sit in a running car or truck if the tailpipe is blocked with snow or mud.

Do not swim near or be pulled behind a boat or jet ski that is operating at a slow speed.

Do not swim near a boat or jet ski that is idling.

Do not ride in the back of a pickup truck with a camper shell.

Do not leave your car running in the garage, even if the garage door is open.

One of the most important is to see a doctor right away if you think you have symptoms. There are some easy steps you can take to reduce your risk. Many people die every year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Be sure to tell your doctor about any changes in vision, coordination, or behavior that occur in the weeks after treatment. But long-term problems can show up later. With quick treatment, most people recover within a few days. This quickly reduces carbon monoxide levels in the blood. For this treatment, you lie inside a chamber that delivers oxygen under high pressure. For this treatment, you breathe oxygen through a mask. Breathing pure oxygen can bring the oxygen level in the blood back to normal.

How is carbon monoxide poisoning treated? You may have other blood tests to check your overall health and to look for problems caused by carbon monoxide. If your doctor suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, he or she can order a blood test that measures the amount of carbon monoxide in your blood. This is especially true if other household members or coworkers have the same symptoms. In the winter months, doctors may suspect carbon monoxide poisoning in people who complain of severe headache, nausea, or dizziness. The same symptoms can be caused by flu or other problems. It can be hard to know if you have carbon monoxide poisoning. Other people you work or live with have the same symptoms you do.You feel better when you leave the building and worse when you return.You often are short of breath and have mild nausea and headaches when you are indoors.Breathing low levels of carbon monoxide over a long period can cause severe heart problems and brain damage. If you keep breathing the fumes, you may pass out and die.Ĭarbon monoxide poisoning can occur suddenly or over a long period of time. If you have symptoms that you think could be caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the area right away, and call 911 or go to the emergency room. Fast breathing, fast heartbeat, or chest pain.Newer houses that are well insulated and tightly sealed can trap carbon monoxide inside.Įarly symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:Īs carbon monoxide builds up in your blood, symptoms get worse and may include: Chimneys in older buildings become blocked and release fumes into the homes or offices. Fuel-burning heating systems and appliances are used during cold weather, when doors and windows are closed.Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up inside houses and other buildings. Fuel-burning appliances are not installed or used properly.A motorboat or jet ski that is idling or working at a slow speed can be dangerous to a swimmer or someone being pulled. Even sitting in an idling car in an open garage can be dangerous. Carbon monoxide can build up in a garage and leak back into the house. Cars, trucks, or other engines are left running in enclosed spaces, such as garages.Common sources are cars, fireplaces, powerboats, wood stoves, kerosene space heaters, charcoal grills, and gas appliances such as water heaters, ovens, and dryers. What causes it?Ĭarbon monoxide can come from any source that burns fuel. So be sure you know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, what to do if you have the symptoms, and how to keep it from happening. But if you breathe too much of it, it can become deadly within minutes. You can't see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide. Without oxygen, cells throughout the body die, and the organs stop working.

What makes this gas so dangerous is that when you breathe it, it replaces the oxygen in your blood. Carbon monoxide is a gas produced by burning any type of fuel-gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal.

Condition Basics What is carbon monoxide poisoning?Ĭarbon monoxide poisoning happens when you breathe too much carbon monoxide.

Carbon dioxide poisoning in home