Preventing CO Poisoning at Home

The Home Safety Council recommends the following to avoid CO poisoning in your home:

	Purchase CO alarms that are listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Install at least one CO alarm in your home, near the sleeping areas. A hallway outside bedrooms, for example.
	Use appliances and equipment according to directions and only for the purposes, they are intended. For example, use a range or cook stove only for cooking, never to heat your home.

For additional safety from CO exposure:

	Never use a barbecue or gas grill indoors, inside a garage or in an enclosed porch.
	Electric generators must never be used inside the home or garage, or in any enclosed area.
	Back vehicles out of the garage when warming up the engine.
	Have a trained professional inspect, clean and tune-up your central heating system before the heating season each year.
	Have a professional sweep inspect your chimneys once a year and clean them if needed.
	If you have a wood stove, verify that it meets local fire codes. Contact your town’s fire marshal if you have questions. When purchasing a new wood stove or portable space heater, choose equipment that is UL-listed.
	Open flues before using fireplaces.
	Be aware that kerosene heaters are illegal in some areas.
	Re-fuel kerosene heaters outdoors only, after the device has cooled.
	Kerosene and gas heaters should always be used with ventilation (such as an open window).

Purchasing a new home? Before you sign the contract, have the home inspected to ensure fuel-burning heating and cooking equipment is safe to use, including fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys.