Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as a silent killer because it is a colorless, odorless gas that people cannot reliably detect with their senses. Every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 400 Americans die from unintentional, non-fire-related CO poisoning; more than 100,000 visit emergency departments, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized from unintentional CO poisoning.
Because carbon monoxide cannot be detected by human senses, recognizing potential hazards and maintaining your home’s heating equipment are critical steps to keeping your family safe.
What Are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
When carbon monoxide is inhaled, it replaces oxygen in your bloodstream, preventing vital organs from receiving the oxygen they need to function properly.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the CDC, common symptoms of CO poisoning include:
Mild to Moderate Exposure:
Dull headache (the most common early symptom)
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Weakness and fatigue
Nausea or vomiting
Shortness of breath
Confusion or blurred vision
Severe Exposure:
Loss of consciousness or fainting
Seizures
Cardiopulmonary complications
Permanent brain damage or fatality
Important Medical Warning: Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms often mimic the flu or food poisoning, but without a fever. If multiple people or pets in your home experience these symptoms simultaneously when indoors, suspect carbon monoxide exposure immediately and vacate until you can test for the presence of high CO levels.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html
https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/hcp/clinical-guidance/index.html
Common Household Causes & Sources of Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is produced whenever combustible fuel (such as natural gas, heating oil, propane, wood, or gasoline) burns incompletely. In a residential setting, common sources include:
Faulty or Aging Heating Systems: Cracks in a gas furnace heat exchanger or improper combustion in oil boilers.
Gas Water Heaters & Appliances: Poorly vented gas water heaters, clothes dryers, stoves, or ovens.
Blocked or Damaged Chimneys and Flues: Vent lines obstructed by debris, bird nests, soot, or ice preventing exhaust gases from venting outdoors.
Attached Garages: Running a vehicle, generator, or lawn equipment inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
Unvented Space Heaters & Fireplaces: Using unvented kerosene or gas space heaters indoors or using outdoor grills inside enclosed spaces.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/carbon-monoxides-impact-indoor-air-quality
Rhode Island Carbon Monoxide Detector Requirements & Placement Guidelines
Rhode Island law mandates carbon monoxide alarms in all residential dwellings, including single-family homes, multi-family residences, and apartment units. Compliance with state fire safety codes requires proper placement and regular upkeep.
Where to Install CO Detectors
Every Living Level: Install at least one detector on every habitable floor of your home, including basements.
Near Sleeping Areas: Place detectors within 10 feet of bedroom doors so an alarm can wake sleeping family members.
Proper Height: Mount detectors on walls at least 5 feet above the floor or on ceilings, following manufacturer instructions.
Places to Avoid: Avoid placing detectors directly next to fuel-burning appliances or in humid areas like bathrooms.
Detector Maintenance & Replacement Schedule
Test Monthly: Press the test button monthly to confirm the sounder and battery are functioning.
Replace Batteries Annually: Change detector batteries at least once a year, unless using 10-year sealed battery units.
Replace Units Every 5 to 7 Years: CO sensors degrade over time. Replace the entire alarm unit every 5 to 10 years as specified by the manufacturer.
What to Do If Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm Sounds
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, treat it as a critical emergency:
Evacuate Immediately: Gather all household members and pets and move to fresh outdoor air right away.
Call Emergency Services: Dial 911 or your local fire department from outside the home.
Check for Symptoms: Inform emergency responders if anyone is experiencing headache, dizziness, or nausea.
Do Not Re-Enter: Remain outdoors until emergency personnel have thoroughly inspected the property and declared it safe.
Schedule a Heating System Safety Inspection: Before turning your heating back on, call the licensed HVAC professionals at CARJON to identify and repair the source of the leak.
Sources:
Professional Heating Maintenance: Your Defense Against CO
While detectors alert you to danger, routine heating system inspection and maintenance actively prevents carbon monoxide leaks before they happen. During an annual tune-up, CARJON’s certified technicians perform rigorous safety checks, including:
Inspecting heat exchangers for hairline cracks or corrosion.
Checking combustion efficiency, burner flames, and gas pressure.
Verifying flue pipes and chimney draft mechanisms.
Testing safety controls and electrical components.
Keep Your Home Safe and Healthy with CARJON
Unlike big-box companies or private equity-backed corporate HVAC chains, CARJON is a local, family-owned business that has been serving the heating and cooling needs of Rhode Island since 1989. The CARJON name is still on the building, and our long-tenured, in-house technicians bring decades of hands-on experience to every home. We are frequently called upon by local homeowners to inspect, diagnose, and correct unsafe heating installations left behind by less rigorous contractors.
Protect your family and extend the life of your equipment by enrolling in a CARJON residential maintenance agreement or scheduling a comprehensive furnace repair and inspection and heating system maintenance service. You can also learn more about our complete indoor air quality solutions!
Frequently Asked Questions about Carbon Monoxide
Q: What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
A: Common symptoms include dull headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. High levels of CO exposure can cause fainting, permanent brain damage, or death. Unlike the flu, CO poisoning does not produce a fever.
Q: What causes CO in a house?
A: Carbon monoxide builds up when fuel-burning appliances—such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters, gas fireplaces, or stoves—are cracked, poorly maintained, improperly vented, or when flues are blocked.
Q: Where should I put CO detectors?
A: In accordance with Rhode Island residential safety standards, place CO detectors on every level of your home and within 10 feet of all bedroom doors. Mount them on walls or ceilings away from humid areas.
Q: What do I do if my CO alarm goes off?
A: Evacuate to fresh air outside immediately, dial 911, ensure everyone is accounted for, and stay outside until emergency officials confirm the building is safe. Contact CARJON to perform a thorough HVAC safety inspection before restarting your equipment.
