Where Carbon Monoxide Occurs

• In general, anything that burns will naturally and inevitably produce a small amount of carbon monoxide, and that includes any household appliance that uses gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal as a fuel for combustion. But it is a buildup of large amounts of carbon monoxide that can be toxic to humans
  
  

Other Household Sources

• In addition to wood- or fuel-burning appliances, there are numerous other household items that can produce carbon monoxide. Parts of a chimney such as as a rusted heat exchanger or a broken chimney connector pipe can cause potentially toxic buildups of carbon monoxide gas, as can a range-top vent fan if a house is not properly ventilated or parts of a fireplace if not regularly cleaned and well-maintained. In short, there are myriad potential sources of carbon monoxide in a typical home, but some simple maintenance and preventive measures can go a long way in protecting your family from the harmful effects of carbon monoxide exposure.
  
  

Safety Precautions

• The first line of defense against carbon monoxide problems is preventive maintenance. Winter heating appliances should be checked by a professional well before the weather turns cold and appliances used year-round such as vent hoods, water heaters and clothes dryers should be checked year-round. Whenever possible, choose burning appliances that ventilate fumes outside the home and make sure ventilation systems are properly maintained. Even after they are checked by a professional, check burning appliances for possible signs of malfunction such as diminished heat production, sooting (especially around vents) and unfamiliar odors.
  
  

Other Considerations

• As noted, early signs of carbon monoxide exposure resemble flu symptoms. One way of checking for the presence of carbon monoxide in the home is to go outside and see if the symptoms alleviate. If they do, see if the symptoms return when you walk back inside the home. If you suspect any level or carbon monoxide poisoning, ventilate the home right away and seek medical attention. Be sure to inform the doctor that you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning as the culprit. Discontinue using any burning appliances in the home until you can identify the source of the carbon monoxide and have it repaired or replaced.