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 is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and nonirritating. Red blood cells absorb CO over 200 times more readily than oxygen. As levels of CO in the air rise, this gas replaces oxygen in the bloodstream. As a result, body tissues are damaged and may die of a lack of oxygen.

Knowing the major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning and using measures to eliminate them will prevent many needless tragedies.

The following questions relating to various areas in your environment will help you in dealing properly with the unseen, deadly hazard of carbon monoxide. The questions have been divided into sections that may directly apply to your particular situation. You can compare your answers with the correct explanation provided at the end of the list of questions.

QUESTIONS

The Home, Cabin, and Camper

Most questions will apply equally to homeowners, campers, and to those who rent. Renters, however, should refer to the management any questions regarding maintenance. Draw a circle around your answer.

Yes No 1. Have you had the fireplace draft and the drafts of other fuel-burning appliances checked by an expert within the past year?

Yes No 2. Have all gas appliances been checked annually for proper operation?

Yes No 3. Are all Combustion appliances properly vented?

Yes No 4. Has your chimney vent been checked for defects within the past year?

Yes No 5. Have you patched any vent pipe with tape, gum, or other substances?

Yes No 6. Are all horizontal vent pipes to fuel appliances perfectly level?

Yes No 7. Do you use your gas range or oven for heating?

Yes No 8. Does the cooling unit of your gas refrigerator give off an odor?

Yes No 9. Have you ever used a charcoal grill, such as a barbecue grill for cooking within your home, cabin or camper other than in a vented fireplace?

Yes No 10. Have you ever brought burning charcoal into your home, cabin or camper for heating purposes?

Yes No 11. Do you consider portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) safe for use in your cabin, camper or home?

Yes No 12. Have you ever used a portable gas camp stove in your home, cabin or camper for heating purposes?

 The Auto

Yes No 13. Have you had a reliable mechanic check the exhaust system of your car within the past year?

Yes No 14. Do you ever run your auto engine in the garage while the garage door is shut?

Yes No 15. Do you leave the door closed between your attached garage and your house when you run your car engine?

Yes No 16. Do you keep your windows slightly open while driving in heavy traffic, although you have an air conditioner?

Yes No 17. While driving your station wagon, do you lower the tailgate to get a greater flow of air in the car?

 Other

Yes No 18. When you are selecting gas equipment, do you buy only those items that carry the seal of a national testing agency, such as the American Gas Association or the Underwriters' Laboratory?

Yes No 19. Have you ever converted, or are you about to convert, a fuel burner from one fuel to another without having it done by an expert?

Yes No 20. As an overnight guest at motels or hotels that have heating units located in the room, do you read operating instructions or ask how such appliances operate?

CORRECT ANSWERS

Yes 1. A yearly checkup of all fuel-burning venting systems in the home is desirable. A yearly checkup of all fuel-burning venting systems in the home is desirable.

Yes 2. A yearly checkup of all combustion appliances is suggested. In many areas, upon request, the gas company will provide this service.

Yes 3. All gas appliances must have adequate ventilation so that CO will not accumulate.

Yes 4. Chimney vents often become blocked by debris causing a buildup of CO They should be checked annually.

No 5. Often a makeshift patch can lead to an accumulation of CO, and therefore should be avoided.

No 6. In-room vent pipes should be on a slight incline as they go toward the exterior. This will reduce leaking of toxic gases in case the joints or pipes are improperly fitted.

No 7. Using a gas range for heating can result in the accumulation of CO.

No 8. An unusual odor from a gas refrigerator often is the result of defects within the cooling unit. Odorless CO also may be given off.

No 9. The use of barbecue grills indoors will quickly result in dangerous levels of CO.

No 10. Burning charcoal-whether black, red, gray or white-gives off CO.

No 11. Although catalytic heaters produce heat without flame, combustion is occurring that can cause the production of CO.

No 12. Using a gas camp stove for heating the home, cabin or camper call result in the accumulation of CO.

 The Auto

Yes 13. Small leaks in the exhaust system of a car can lead to an accumulation of CO in the interior.

No 14. CO can rapidly build up while your auto engine is operated in a closed garage. Never run your car in a garage unless the outside door is open to provide ventilation.

Yes 15. CO can easily escape from a garage through a connecting door that opens into the house, although the garage door is open. Doors connecting a garage and house should be kept closed when the auto is running.

Yes 16. Even with an air conditioner, CO can be drawn into a car while it is being driven slowly in heavy traffic. Therefore, windows should be slightly opened.

No 17. If the tailgate is open, be sure to open vents or windows to increase the flow of air in the car. If the tailgate window is open and the other windows or the vents are closed, CO from the exhaust will be drawn into the car.

Other

Yes 18. Buy only equipment carrying the seal of a national testing agency; otherwise, one may get poorly designed equipment, which may soon result in the production of CO.

No 19. An expert is needed to make proper modifications and to evaluate the venting capabilities of your appliance.

Yes 20. Even with adequately designed and properly installed heating equipment, the improper operation of this equipment can result in its malfunctioning and lead to the production of CO. Therefore, be sure you understand the correct way to operate any fuel-burning appliance before using it