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 Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas
byproduct of burning fossil fuels. At elevated levels, carbon
monoxide (CO) causes sickness and, if not detected, death. Simply
having working carbon monoxide detectors in your home and regularly
testing them can prevent awful consequences.
Fossil fuels like natural gas are used to heat the vast majority of
American homes, and faulty heating equipment accounts for nearly one
third of accidental carbon monoxide deaths. These can include your
home heating system, improperly vented gas appliances, kerosene or
propane space heaters, charcoal grills and Sterno-type fuels.
“Most carbon monoxide fatalities happen in the winter months when
residents understandably dial up their thermostats,” said State Fire
Marshal Matt Perez. “Make sure your home has working carbon monoxide
alarms so if something goes wrong with your heating system, you know
when to get outside.”
 Perez also reminds residents to never use a gas generator, grill,
oven or range to heat the inside of their home or garage.
Under the Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act (Public Act 094-0741),
enacted in 2007, all homeowners, landlords and building managers
must install carbon monoxide alarms within 15 feet of every room
used for sleeping purposes. The alarms must be in operating
condition.
Illinois reported 11,481 carbon monoxide related incidents to the
National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) in 2013. Due to the
increased use of carbon monoxide detectors in the last decade, the
number of reported incidents has gone up while the number of carbon
monoxide fatalities has steadily gone down.
Symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to those of the flu and
include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and
dizziness.
Other signs of possible CO presence include condensation on walls
and windows, house plants dying, house pets becoming sluggish and
chronic odors from malfunctioning appliances.
If you suspect you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning,
go outside for fresh air immediately and call 911 either on your
mobile phone outside or from a neighbor’s home.
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The OSFM recommends the following tips to help prevent CO
poisoning:
- Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide
detectors with fresh batteries.
- Put carbon monoxide detectors/alarms on each floor of a home
and within 15 feet of each sleeping area.
- Check CO detectors once a month and be familiar with the
sounds that the detector makes.
- CO detectors have a limited operating life. Check the
manufacturer's instructions for information on replacement.
- Never use a generator, grill, stove, or other fossil
fuel-burning device inside a home, garage, or other enclosed
area.
- Never heat a home with an oven.
- Keep interior and exterior air vents clear of blockages or
obstructions.
- Make sure appliances are installed by a qualified technician
and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions and
local building codes.
- Have your building’s heating system inspected and serviced
annually; change or clean furnace filters regularly.
- Have chimney or appliance vents cleaned and inspected for
leakage, debris blockages, or a buildup of creosote. If you see
black stains on the outside of the chimney or flue, it could
mean pollutants are leaking into your home.
[Office of the Illinois State Fire
Marshal]
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