Checklist for the Prevention of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Carbon monoxide is often referred to as CO, which is its chemical
symbol. Unlike many gases, CO has no odor, color, or taste, and it
doesn't irritate your skin.
Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen. If there
is a lot of CO in the air, your body may replace oxygen in your blood
with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into your body, which can
damage tissues in your body and can kill you. Knowing where CO is found
and how to avoid it can protect you from serious injury or death.
Test your Carbon Monoxide knowledge with these
interactive quizzes.
Interactive Q&A:
The Home, Cabin, and Camper
(answers open in a pop-up window)
Most questions will apply equally to homeowners, campers, and
renters. Renters should ask their landlords about maintenance and
repairs.
- How often should I have my fireplace draft and the drafts of other
fuel-burning appliances checked?
>> get answer
- How often should my gas appliances be checked?
>> get answer
- Do all gas appliances need to be vented?
>> get answer
- How often should my chimney vent be checked for defects or debris?
>> get answer
- Is it okay to patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else?
>> get answer
- Should the horizontal vent pipes to my fuel appliances be
perfectly level?
>> get answer
- Should I use my gas range or oven for heating?
>> get answer
- Is it normal for the cooling unit of my gas refrigerator give off
an odor?
>> get answer
- Should I use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors?
>> get answer
- Should I burn charcoal indoors?
>> get answer
- Are portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) safe to use
indoors?
>> get answer
- Should I use a portable gas camp stove indoors?
>> get answer
Your Car or Truck
(answers open in a pop-up window)
- How often should I have a mechanic check the exhaust system of my
car?
>> get answer
- Is it okay to run my car or truck in the garage with the garage
door shut?
>> get answer
- Do I need to leave the door closed between my attached garage and
my house when I run my car or truck in the garage?
>> get answer
- I drive a station wagon. Should I lower the tailgate to get more
air in the car?
>> get answer
Appliances
(answers open in a pop-up window)
- When I choose gas equipment, how do I know what's safe?
>> get answer
- How hard is it to convert a fuel burner from one fuel to another?
>> get answer
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