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National Center for Environmental Health - Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

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.

How CO enters red blood cell

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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This page last reviewed September 08, 2004