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CO

Carbon

Monoxide

Facts You Need to KnowIf you have questionsabout carbon monoxide,contact your local gas utility, a qualifiedheating contractor, your ISU Extensioncounty office, or the Iowa Statewide PoisonControl Center at 1-800-222-1222.

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A Silent KillerC O

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Adapted by Thomas Greiner, Iowa State UniversityExtension agricultural engineer, with permission fromSt. Lukes Poison Center, Sioux City, Iowa, and Siouxland

Carbon Monoxide Coalition.

. . . and justice for allThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in allits programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin,gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, andmarital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)Many materials can be made available in alternative formats for ADAclients. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Office of CivilRights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 andJune 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Stanley R. Johnson, director, Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa StateUniversity of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.

File: Health and safety 2-5 Pm-1794 Revised September 2005

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What about

carbon monoxide alarms?Carbon monoxide alarms can help alert

you to increased levels of carbon monoxide inyour home, but they are not foolproof!

The Consumer Product Safety Commis-sion recommends installing at least one COalarm per household, near the sleeping area.Homes with several sleeping areas willrequire multiple alarms. For added protec-tion, locate an additional alarm at least 15 feetfrom the furnace.

Look for an alarm with the UL

(Underwriters Laboratories) or IAS (Interna-tional Approval Services) seal, and whichfeatures an audible alarm. There are severaltypes of alarms:

one that is wired to your homeselectrical system

one which plugs into a standardelectrical outlet

one that runs on batteries one that plugs into a standard elec-

trical outlet with back-up batteries combination smoke and CO alarm with or without digital displays

with or without memoriesRead and follow installation instructions

furnished with the alarm.

What should I do if mycarbon monoxide alarm goes offor I feel I may be suffering fromcarbon monoxide poisoning?

If your carbon monoxide alarmsounds or if you feel symptoms that

could be carbon monoxide poisoning,leave your home immediately to gain freshair! Call 911 or your local fire/rescuenumber.

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How can I protect myself

and my family?Some of the steps you can take to

minimize your risk of carbon monoxidepoisoning are:

Have your furnace and fireplaceinspected for cracks, gaps, rust,corrosion, or debris by a qualifiedprofessional before each heating season.

Have gas appliances serviced yearlyby a qualified service technician. Stoveburners should be cleaned and

adjusted to minimize the amount ofcarbon monoxide produced. Gas dryervents should be checked for lintbuildup that may restrict ventilation.

Use non-electrical space heaters onlyin well-ventilated areas, not forheating your home.

Never start or leave cars, trucks, orother vehicles running in anenclosed area.

Never operate barbecue grills indoorsor use stove tops or ovens that operateon flammable fuels to heata residence.

If living in a multi-family dwelling orin a home with an attached garage, beaware that carbon monoxide can enteryour residence through floor boards,cracks, or underneath doors.

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Potential Carbon Monoxide Sources in the Home

Blockedchimney opening

Cloggedchimney

Improperlyinstalled kitchenrange or cooktopvent

Portableheater

Refrigerator

Gas orwood-burningfireplace

Corroded or disconnectedwater heater vent pipe

Leakingchimneypipe or flue

Cracked heat exchanger

Clothesdryer

Operating barbequegrill in enclosed areasuch as the garage

Remember there are many more possible sources, including: appliances in cabins or campers

auto exhaust pool or spa heaters ceiling-mounted heating unit lack of adequate ventilation exhaust fan use

Carbon monoxidealarm locations

(Install one CO alarm near

the sleeping area. Foradded protection, install a

second CO alarm at least

15 feet from the furnace.)

tobacco smoke

oven used to heat the home gas, oil, wood, or coal furnace attached garage fuel burning space heaters down drafting