Causes

Carbon monoxide poisoning can come from exposure to improperly vented gas appliances (such as a furnace, hot-water heater, or oven), automobile exhaust, or smoke inhalation from a fire. Carbon monoxide poisoning should be suspected in any situation where gas cannot escape, such as a car with a running engine or fires in poorly ventilated areas. It’s possible to get carbon monoxide poisoning even inside a tent, where it may seem like there’s plenty of ventilation.

Symptoms

Because carbon monoxide has no smell, you may not know you are being exposed to it until you start to feel ill. The first symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are mild. You may have a headache, dizziness, or fatigue that goes away when you get fresh air.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can have the same symptoms as the “stomach flu.” If everyone in your household has these symptoms at the same time, it could be carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Severe headache
• Confusion
• Agitation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Skin rash
• Fatigue
• Stupor/sleepiness
• Coma

Prevention

• Get a carbon monoxide detector. These work the way smoke detectors do, to give you an early warning that there is carbon monoxide in your home. If you only have one, put it in or near your bedroom. If the alarm goes off, leave your home.
• If members of the household are experiencing headache, nausea, confusion, and fatigue, get out of the house and call to have it checked for carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Have your fuel-burning appliances, such as gas and oil furnaces, gas and wood fireplaces, space heaters, hot-water heaters, dryers, and pool heaters, inspected at least once every 2 years.
• Don’t leave a car running in the garage, even with the door open. Don’t drive with the trunk or tailgate of your car open. Check the car’s exhaust system regularly.
• Don’t use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• Don’t ever use a charcoal grill indoors.

First Aid

• If you feel tired or have headaches, open a window. If that makes you feel better, you should check your home for carbon monoxide.
• Don’t stay in the room if you think carbon monoxide poisoning is possible. Get everyone, including pets, into fresh air before starting first aid.
• Call 911 if the person is unconscious. Check for breathing and pulse. If the person is not breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation if you have been trained. Continue until the person with carbon monoxide poisoning has started to breathe again or medical assistance arrives.