Disaster Preparedness

Carbon Monoxide

What you can’t see can hurt you. Be alert to the potential dangers of carbon monoxide. You can't see or smell carbon monoxide. It is a colorless, odorless, potentially dangerous gas produced when fuel (heating oil, propane, kerosene, charcoal, gasoline, wood or natural gas) is burned without enough air for complete combustion.

If inhaled in large quantities for a prolonged time period, carbon monoxide can cause unconsciousness, brain damage and death. So even though you can't see it, protect yourself and your family - learn to recognize the danger signals of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Fatigue
• Coughing
• Headache
• Irregular breathing
• Dizziness
• Overall paleness
• Nausea
• Cherry red lips and ears

If you notice the symptoms, immediately call 911 and get outside into fresh air.