Carbon Monoxide

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas which is slightly lighter than air. It consists of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

When incomplete combustion occurs in your home’s gas appliances, carbon monoxide is produced, and this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. The early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning produce unexplained flu-like symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and mental confusion. Since carbon monoxide displaces the oxygen in the blood, prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide can lead to death by asphyxiation.

Signs that may indicate the presence of carbon monoxide

• A large, yellow and unsteady gas appliance burner flame (with the exception of decorative gas log appliances).
• An unusual pungent odor when the appliance is operating. This may indicate the creation of aldehydes, a by-product of incomplete combustion.
• Unexplained nausea, drowsiness and flu-like symptoms.

What to do if you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home

• Immediately turn off and stop using the suspected gas appliance.
• Seek medical attention if anyone in the home experiences possible carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms.
• Contact Humphreys County Utility District at 931-296-3204 or a licensed heating contractor immediately to have the appliance inspected.
• Don’t use the suspected gas appliance until it has been inspected, serviced and determined to be safe by Humphreys County Utility District or a licensed heating contractor.

How to maintain and use gas appliances to prevent carbon monoxide

• Vacuum around burner compartments, and inspect and replace furnace filters on forced-air units or central heating systems according to manufacturer instructions.
• Make sure to properly replace the front panels of a forced-air unit or the burner compartment door of a gas wall heater.
• Make sure all appliance vents are free of obstruction.
• Never store anything near a gas appliance that might interfere with normal appliance airflow.
• Have all gas appliances and venting repairs done by a qualified and licensed heating or plumbing contractor.
• When using your vented gas fireplace, make sure the damper is open.
• Never use your gas oven for space heating.
• Gas appliance maintenance is always the homeowner’s responsibility. However, Humphreys County Utility District will perform appliance safety checks upon request.

Should you worry about carbon monoxide?

Accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from natural gas appliances is statistically rare. During the last 20 years, the number of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning cases has declined substantially. While the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning from a gas appliance is rare, it is still essential to perform regular maintenance on your gas appliances to ensure your safety. For these reasons, it is recommended that you have your gas furnaces, water heaters, and central units checked at least once a year by Humphreys County Utility District or a licensed heating contractor.

Carbon Monoxide Home Detectors

The decision on whether or not to purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector is one of personal choice. Detectors may provide an extra level of safety, but they also require routine maintenance and replacement to perform properly. Even with detectors in place, regular gas appliance maintenance is still required. Inspection and routine maintenance are still the best defense against accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from natural gas appliances. Carbon Monoxide detectors can be purchased at your local home improvement or hardware stores.