Carbon Monoxide Action Plan publishes general information about carbon monoxide, carbon monoxide alarms, and the fuel-burning appliances that produce it. It is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and it is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas: you cannot see, taste or smell it, and at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Its symptoms, which at moderate levels include severe headache, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea and faintness, are easily mistaken for the flu, and they often ease after you leave the house. If you think you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately, open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances, leave the house, and go to an emergency room and tell the physician you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. If anyone in the household has symptoms, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Fetuses, infants, elderly people and people with anemia or a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible, so raise any question about your own exposure with your doctor.
We are not a licensed heating, gas-fitting or chimney contractor, we are not an emergency service, and nothing here is an inspection, a measurement, or a repair design. An alarm is a backup and not a replacement for the proper use and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances, and independent testing has found that performance varies between models, so alarm placement, any alarm that sounds, and any decision to inspect, repair or replace a furnace, water heater, stove, fireplace, clothes dryer or space heater should be confirmed with a qualified technician and against your local code requirements, which differ by location.