Your Care Instructions

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when you breathe air that contains too much carbon monoxide. This gas has no colour, odour, or taste. You can't tell when you are breathing it. It replaces the oxygen carried in the blood. When this happens, the body's organs and tissues—which depend on oxygen—cannot work properly.

Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can come from many sources. These include heating systems, car engines, generators, jet ski and boat motors, grills, stoves, and fires. The exhaust from cars can reach dangerous levels in a garage and can leak back into the house. This can happen even when the garage door is open. You can also be exposed to high levels when you ride in the closed back of a truck. A motorboat or jet ski that is idling or working at a slow speed can be dangerous to a swimmer or someone being pulled.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Before you go back to the home or workplace where you were exposed to carbon monoxide, have it tested by your local fire department or utility company. The service may be free.
• Buy and install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. Do this near sleeping areas too. Some commercial smoke alarms also include carbon monoxide detectors. If the alarm sounds, tell everyone in the house or building to get out. Then call the fire department or your local utility company from a nearby phone.
• Do not ignore any symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if more than one person in your home or workplace has these symptoms. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and dizziness.