Carbon Monoxide Information
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poisonous gas.
It is produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, such as:
- oil
- wood
- gasoline
- charcoal
- kerosene
- propane
- natural gas, etc.
The only way to know if Carbon Monoxide is present is by having a properly installed, properly located and properly working Carbon Monoxide detector. 
Rhode Island state law calls for a Carbon Monoxide detector on every living level of the home. It is very important to have a CO detector near your bedrooms.
Each year there are many deaths caused by Carbon Monoxide poisoning in this country and also worldwide. Deaths are caused because CO displaces oxygen in your blood.
Your blood absorbs Carbon Monoxide 210 times faster than it can absorb oxygen! This means that your blood prefers CO over oxygen and the presence of CO will displace oxygen in your blood.
In a relatively short time the presence of CO in large quantities will lead to unconsciousness followed by death.
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. At moderate levels, you or your family can get:
- severe headaches
- dizziness
- mentally confused
- nauseated
- faint
- shortness of breath
- drowsiness
- a run-down feeling that seems like flu symptoms
- red colored skin.
It is possible to have enough CO present to make you ill but not enough present to kill you. This is sometimes referred to as a "sick" house.
Lighter-weight people are the first to suffer from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. This means that babies and children are the first to be affected in a Carbon Monoxide poisoning incident.
The most dangerous threat from Carbon Monoxide is that it will put you to sleep before it kills you. Because sleep is a natural part of our lives each day you will most likely not recognize the threat before you are overcome by CO.
Carbon Monoxide is slightly lighter than air. This means that it will rise upwards from the source. For this reason it is best to have ceiling-mounted CO detectors, rather than plug-in types that would be located near the floor area.
If you suspect a problem with Carbon Monoxide indoors you should:
- have everyone leave the building, including pets
- do not open windows
- call the fire department to come and test your indoor air
Is your CO detector in alarm?
DO NOT IGNORE THE ALARM or REMOVE THE BATTERY!
Call the Fire Department to have your air tested.