▼

Carbon Monoxide

Show All Answers

1. What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas produced during incomplete combustion of fuels such as coal, kerosene, natural gas, oil, wood, etc. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

2. What are the dangers of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide inhibits the blood's capacity to carry oxygen by replacing oxygen in the red blood cells. This cuts off the needed oxygen supply to organs in the body. Variable amounts of damage may occur, depending on exposure. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

3. What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Symptoms of low level exposure to carbon monoxide resemble flu symptoms and may include shortness of breath, mild headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Symptoms of higher level exposures may include dizziness, mental confusion, sever headaches, nausea, and fainting on mild exertion.

If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

4. What can I do to minimize the potential for carbon monoxide exposure?

First, ensure gas or oil fueled heating and cooking appliances are properly installed and maintained. These appliances should be check regularly by qualified service technicians. Second, you should install a carbon monoxide detector meeting UL 2034. The East Lansing Fire Department recommends plug in units with digital readouts instead of battery-powered detectors.

If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

5. What is the proper procedure for using my fireplace / wood burning stove?

Proper venting must be provided to the fireplace / wood stove to prevent exhaust gases from the furnace being drawn back into the house. A fresh air inlet should be provided to the fireplace / wood stove, or a window should be left open to allow fresh air to enter the home to replace air that is drawn up the chimney by the heat of the fire. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

6. What is the power procedure for starting / warming up my car during cold weather?

The proper procedure for starting vehicles in cold weather is to start the vehicle following manufacturers' instructions, then move the vehicle out of the garage a sufficient distance to avoid having exhaust fumes being drawn into the garage. Cars should never be allowed to run in a garage opening due to the change exhaust fumes may be drawn into the home as doors are opened, or by being blown into the garage by the wind. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

7. Do I need a carbon monoxide detector for my home?

The East Lansing Fire Department recommends a UL 2034 electric carbon monoxide detector with a digital readout being installed according to manufacturers' instructions in every home. This should be done in addition to regular maintenance of heating and cooking appliances by a qualified technician. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

8. What should I look for when I decide to purchase a carbon monoxide detector?

The East Lansing Fire Department recommends carbon monoxide detectors that plug in and feature a digital readout instead of the battery powered models. This is preferred because of the high number of false calls associated with battery models as well as the benefits of the information supplied to the resident when a digital readout is provided. In most cases, the resident will be able to safely deal with a carbon monoxide problem by using the information in the digital readout and instructions provided in the owner's manual for the detector.

If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

9. Where is the best place in my home to install a carbon monoxide detector?

The owners manual included with the carbon monoxide detector will provide suggestions for the best location for the carbon monoxide detector. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

10. How does a carbon monoxide detector work?

An electric powered detector uses sold state tin-dioxide circuit which clears itself quickly and continually monitors the air for presence of carbon monoxide. An electric unit can determine the level of carbon monoxide which is present and display this information on a digital readout. A battery / sensor pack uses a technology where carbon monoxide is absorbed over a period of time and when a certain level is reached, the alarm sounds.

Battery / sensor packs may take several hours to clear a carbon monoxide level once it has been activated. An electrical unit will clear itself within minutes. Battery / sensor packs must be replaced at least every two years. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

11. Does a carbon monoxide alarm sound like my smoke detector?

Yes, it has a beeping sound which may be intermittent or continuous. It also resembles your smoke alarm in its outside appearance. You should read your owner's manual to determine what the alarm signal sounds like and the recommended procedures you should follow if the alarm sounds. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

12. If I have battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors, how will I know when the battery needs to be replaced?

Typically there will be an intermittent beeping sound from the detector. You should refer to the owner's manual for specific details for your unit. The battery / sensor pack needs replacement at least every 2 years. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

13. If my carbon monoxide alarm has a LED readout, will a normal reading always be 0?

A normal reading will not always be zero. In most cases, it will be zero. This reading could be affected by household activities such as cooking, starting a fire in the fireplace, starting a car in the garage, or if there are smokers in the resident. You should be aware of activities which might explain a reading higher than zero. It may take several days to determine what the normal reading will be for your particular residence.

If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

14. Should I call 9-1-1 when my carbon monoxide alarm sounds?

You should only use 9-1-1 if there is a life-threatening emergency. If your alarm sounds and someone has symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, you should call 9-1-1, then evacuate everyone from the home. If no one is ill, you should ventilate the home by opening doors and windows and call a qualified service technician to check all gas or oil fueled heating, drying, and cooking appliances.

If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

15. What should I do when my carbon monoxide detector sounds and no one is feeling ill?

You should open doors and windows to ventilate the home, then call a qualified service technician to come and check your gas or oil fueled heating, drying, and cooking appliances. If you have a detector with a digital readout of carbon monoxide levels, follow instructions provided by the manufacturer of the detector. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

16. What should I do when my carbon monoxide detector sounds and someone is feeling ill?

Call 9-1-1 and evacuate everyone from the home. East Lansing Fire Emergency personnel will respond quickly to provide emergency medical assistance and to verify monoxide levels in your home. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.

17. Whom should I call for further information on carbon monoxide alarms?

For answers to specific questions on your carbon monoxide detector, you should call the number listed in the owner's manual which came with the detector. If you have any questions, please call the East Lansing Fire Department at (517) 332-1956.