If you care about the air you breathe, you should regularly monitor your home for carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is a poisonous gas that can be present inside a home. It occurs from the burning or combusting of organic substances. Carbon monoxide can enter the home from an outside source, and it can also be created from an inside location.
When you know what carbon monoxide is and how it is generated, you can prevent accidents. You’ll also understand warning signs that indicate danger is present. Here is some important information about the impact of carbon monoxide on indoor air quality.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
CO is a poisonous gas that has an immediate impact on those who breathe it. CO damages the lungs and the respiratory system and ultimately harms the whole body. Carbon monoxide does not have an odor, a color, or a taste, so humans and pets cannot detect it easily. In homes where CO is present, occupants can experience difficult breathing from short exposure times.
What Is Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
The effects of inhaling CO are devastating. Carbon monoxide can bring about tissue damage, brain damage, and death. When a person who is sleeping, high, or intoxicated breathes in CO, they could be completely unaware of what’s happening. Pets, infants, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. These friends and family members may not be able to tell you about the physical symptoms they are experiencing. Because acting quickly can save their lives, it’s important to know about the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you believe you or someone else has been exposed to CO, move outdoors and away from the home as soon as possible. Call your local emergency number immediately to report the problem. Here are symptoms to look for:
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Dizziness and fainting
- Headaches
- Physical weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Shortness of breath
What Causes Carbon Monoxide?
Any device or appliance that burns a fuel such as gas, wood, or another substance to operate creates carbon monoxide. If the appliance is incorrectly installed or poorly ventilated, the CO can remain inside the home and harm you and your family. CO can also enter indoor air in unsuspecting ways. Vehicles and gas-powered tools also create carbon monoxide when operating. If you have an entry door connected to your garage or basement, carbon monoxide could be entering into your environment.
When CO is being generated around the outside of your property, check for hidden gaps in walls, doors, and windows. Seal them to prevent carbon monoxide from entering your home. Here’s a quick rundown of sources of CO that could be affecting your air quality:
- Cars, motorcycles, and motorized vehicles
- Cigarette and tobacco smoke
- Furnaces
- Gas and wood-burning grills
- Gas fireplaces
- Gas stoves and ovens
- Generators
- Power tools
- Water heaters
- Wood-burning fireplaces
Maintaining your home’s heating, cooling, and ventilation equipment is critical for many reasons. In addition to making your system more energy-efficient, maintenance checks can help prevent safety hazards. Pro Temp of Illinois has certified technicians to help you improve the quality of air that you and your family breathe every day. Let us know how we can serve you in the Chicagoland area.
How to Monitor for Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide detectors can help you keep control of your indoor air quality. You’ll want to install more than one to get the full benefit they can provide. Locate one near every area of the home where sleeping occurs or where combustible fuel is burned. Place CO detectors in hallways near bedrooms, in kitchens with a gas stove, or near fireplaces. Because detectors use batteries, the devices should be checked several times a year to replace the batteries. It’s easy to keep up with this by adding the task to your regular smoke detector and air filter checkups.
Pro Temp of Illinois has been serving La Grange and the surrounding communities for 20 years. Our company is licensed and insured to assist you with heating and cooling installations, repairs, and maintenance needs. Ask us about our duct cleaning services to help improve your air quality. We can also add air filtration equipment to your indoor air system. Call our office in Westchester today to schedule an appointment for your home.