Your Care Instructions

Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no colour, smell, or taste. You can't tell if you're breathing it. Your child can be poisoned from breathing air that has too much of the gas.

Many things can cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. These include:

• Heating systems, car engines, and generators.
• Jet ski and boat motors. A motor that is idling or working at a slow speed can be dangerous to a swimmer or someone being pulled.
• Grills, stoves, and fires.
• Running a car in the garage, even with the garage door open. Fumes can leak into your house.
• Riding in the enclosed back of a truck.

Carbon monoxide replaces the oxygen in the blood. Since the body's organs and tissues depend on oxygen, they can't work as they should.

How can you care for your child at home

• If your child was exposed at home, have the home tested for carbon monoxide. Do this before your child returns to the home. Your local fire department or utility company can test it. The service may be free.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home and near your child's sleeping areas. Some smoke alarms also can detect this gas. If the alarm sounds, tell everyone in the house or building to get out. Then use a nearby phone to call the fire department or your local utility company.
• Don't ignore symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, and feeling dizzy.