Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Description

Identify sources of carbon monoxide

Precautions to take

Description

Each year, carbon monoxide, also called CO, is responsible for several poisonings in Quebec. It is a toxic gas that cannot be seen or felt. It does not irritate the eyes or the respiratory tract. Breathing carbon monoxide can be very dangerous to your health and even lead to death.

Carbon monoxide is released when appliances and vehicles burn fuel such as propane, wood, fuel oil, etc.

health tips

Only a carbon monoxide alarm can detect the presence of this gas and notify you. When the alarm rings, it is important to know what to do. For more information, see What to do when you have symptoms or a carbon monoxide alarm rings.

If you want to get an alarm, you will find buying advice in the Choose your CO alarms section. This link will open in a new window. from the Department of Public Safety website.

Identify sources of carbon monoxide

Several types of devices and vehicles can release carbon monoxide and cause poisoning:

non-electric heaters such as oil furnaces, wood fireplaces, slow-burning stoves or propane heaters;

combustion engine vehicles such as automobiles, snowmobiles, boats or all-terrain vehicles;

natural gas or propane appliances such as natural gas stoves, propane refrigerators or propane water heaters;

gasoline-powered tools and devices such as lawnmowers, saws or generators;

outdoor appliances such as barbecues, oil lamps or stoves.

The use of these devices and vehicles is generally not harmful to your health, but they can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Here are some situations where poisoning can occur:

Devices or vehicles are defective or poorly maintained.

Examples:

you have not had your chimney swept;

your chimney is obstructed;

you have not had your furnace serviced annually.

The devices or vehicles are used in a closed or insufficiently ventilated place.

Examples:

you operate your automobile engine inside a garage, even if the garage door is open. The danger exists regardless of the type of garage (garage integrated into your house or located next to it, canvas garage);

you activate the remote starter of an automobile in a garage;

you use gasoline tools in a garage or shed.

Appliances or vehicles are used improperly.

Examples:

you are using a backup heating system, such as a propane heater, inside your home or garage;

you install a gasoline generator inside your house or in an integrated garage or located next to your house;

you use a propane barbecue or grill inside your home;

you start your car while the exhaust pipe is blocked by snow after a storm.

Precautions to take

The best way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to act safely:

Install a carbon monoxide alarm This link will open in a new window. in places where there are sources of carbon monoxide.

Do not use motorized devices that use fuel, such as gasoline or propane, indoors.

Respect the maintenance and safety rules. For example, if you have a slow-burning fireplace or stove, have your chimney swept at least once a year, in the spring or fall. Also, make sure that it is not blocked and that there are no leaks.

Use qualified personnel. For example, have a qualified mechanic check parts of your vehicle's exhaust system such as the manifold, catalyst, muffler, and exhaust pipe.

Appropriate safety measures must be taken to reduce the risk of accidents when handling, installing, and using propane-powered appliances. For more information on this subject, see the page Using propane This link will open in a new window. from the Régie du bâtiment du Québec website.

Special measures must be taken in certain situations in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Certain actions must also be taken in the presence of symptoms or in an emergency.