Each year unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning claims hundreds of lives and sends several thousands of people to the emergency room for treatment.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste, or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill before you are aware it is in your home.  CO can come from several sources: gas-fired appliances, charcoal grills, wood-burning furnaces or fireplaces, and motor vehicles.

At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu.  These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and fatigue.  The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health, and the concentration and length of exposure.

A new law will go into effect February 22, 2010 to help protect New Yorkers from deadly carbon monoxide.  At that time, CO alarms must be installed in all new and existing one and two-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings and rentals having a fuel-burning appliance, system or attached garage. But don’t wait until the law goes into effect to protect your family.

To help protect yourself from carbon monoxide, install at least one CO alarm with an audible warning signal evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), near sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms.  CO alarms measure levels of the gas over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms.

When selecting a carbon monoxide detector, consider the following:

·         Accuracy: Look for a statement on the package about the alarm's accuracy level. If the CO alarm is UL listed, then the accuracy statement will have been certified by UL, too.

·         Battery Operated: Consumers who live in areas prone to power outages or who own a gas-powered generator should consider a battery-powered CO alarm with a backlit digital display. Battery-powered units offer 24-hour-a-day CO monitoring when power is interrupted. The backlit digital display allows the user to view the CO level in the dark. The alarm can also be placed on a shelf or wall or moved from room-to-room.

·         Digital Display: A digital display screen clearly shows the level of CO detected in the home, and updates the reading every 15 seconds.

·         Peak-Level Memory: This feature records the highest level of CO present. Knowing the CO level in the home can help emergency personnel determine treatment.

·         Plug-in with Battery Backup: Easy to plug into any electrical socket, these alarms include a 9V battery for protection during short-term power outages.

·         Voice Warning: This feature clearly announces the threat present in the home, in addition to emitting the traditional alarm beep. It is often a feature of combination smoke/CO alarms.

In addition to installing CO detectors, you should have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year to ensure they are not leaking CO into your house.

Never use your range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage. And never keep a car running in a garage.  Even if the garage door is open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.

Remember to install at least one CO alarm on every floor and in sleeping areas. Make sure CO alarms are at least 15 feet away from cooking or heating appliances to prevent false alarms.  Don't cover or obstruct the unit. Test the CO alarm monthly. Lastly, replace CO alarms every 7 years to benefit from the latest technology upgrades and to ensure the sensors are in working order.