Carbon Monoxide Safety
23
Home Safety Tips
What You Can Do:
• Buy only appliances approved by a nationally
recognized testing laboratory.
• Choose fuel-burning appliances that can be vented to
the outdoors, whenever possible.
• Make sure appliances are installed according to
manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.
Most appliances should be installed by professionals
and should be inspected by the proper authority after
installation.
• Have the heating system, vents, chimney and flue
inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician every
year.
• Follow manufacturer’s directions for safe operation of
all fuel-burning appliances.
• Examine vents and chimneys regularly for improper
connections, visible rust or stains.
• Open a window when a fireplace or wood-burning
stove is in use, and provide adequate outdoor air for
furnace and water heater.
• Notice problems that could indicate improper appliance
operation:
– Decreasing hot water supply
– Furnace unable to heat house or runs constantly
– Sooting, especially on appliances
– Unfamiliar or burning odor
– Yellow or orange flame
• Be aware of the symptoms of carbon monoxide
poisoning:
– headaches, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea,
vomiting, confusion and disorientation.
• Recognize that CO poisoning may be the cause when
family members suffer from flu-like symptoms that don’t
disappear but improve when they leave home for
extended periods of time.
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