How Does Carbon Monoxide Travel in a House?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that is produced when carbon-containing fuels such as natural gas, oil, wood, and charcoal are burned. When these fuels are not burned completely, CO can be produced. Burning appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, and stoves can produce CO.

CO starts out as a low-level gas that gradually builds up in enclosed spaces. It is slightly lighter than air and will rise until it reaches an area where it can escape. Once it has escaped into the atmosphere, it quickly dissipates and poses no threat.

In a home, CO can accumulate in areas that are well-ventilated such as basements and garages. It can also build up in enclosed spaces such as attics and crawl spaces. If there are cracks or gaps in the walls or ceilings of these enclosed spaces, CO can enter the living area of the home and build up to dangerous levels.

CO can also build up in homes that are not well-ventilated. This is more likely to happen in homes that are tightly sealed and energy-efficient. When this happens, CO can reach dangerous levels inside the home very quickly.

The dangers of carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that has no color, odor, or taste. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CO is produced whenever any fuel such as gasoline, wood, or natural gas is burned.

CO from engine exhaust is especially dangerous because it can build up quickly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. That’s why it’s so important to have a working CO detector in your home. A CO detector can alert you to high levels of CO before you start to feel symptoms.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and confusion. If you have these symptoms and suspect CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately and call 911.

How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that has no odor, color, or taste. It is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, wood, or charcoal is burned.

CO can build up indoors and cause serious health problems, or even death. Some people are more vulnerable to CO poisoning than others. These include unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease or anemia. People who have recently been smoking cigarettes or taking drugs that increase CO in the blood are also at risk.

There are ways to prevent CO poisoning in your home:

-Install a battery-operated CO detector in your home and check it regularly to make sure it is working.
-Do not use charcoal grills, gas grills, or other fuel-burning appliances inside your home, even if you have good ventilation.
-Make sure your fireplace has a screen to prevent sparks from escaping into the room. Do not burn paper in your fireplace.
-Do not use gasoline-powered engines (such as lawn mowers or snowblowers) inside an attached garage, even if the door between the house and garage is open.

How to spot the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled. It is produced whenever any fuel is burned, including natural gas, propane, oil, wood, and charcoal. When these fuels are burned properly, the carbon monoxide they produce is safely dispersed into the outdoors. However, if a fuel-burning appliance is not vented properly or if it is defective, carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels inside your home.

While anyone in a home can be poisoned by carbon monoxide, infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease or respiratory problems, and smokers are more susceptible to its effects.

If you suspect that you or someone in your home has been poisoned by carbon monoxide, it is important to get fresh air immediately and call for medical help. Symptoms of mild carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, and fatigue. More severe symptoms include confusion, vomiting, abnormal Chest pain muscle weakness or convulsions. If you experience any of these symptoms while using a fuel-burning appliance or soon after exposure to an area where one was being used, assume that carbon monoxide is present and get fresh air immediately.

How to get rid of carbon monoxide in your home

If your home has combustion appliances, you need to know about carbon monoxide (CO) and how it can enter your home.

CO is a gas that has no color, odor, or taste, so you can’t see, smell, or taste it. CO can cause serious health problems if too much builds up in your blood. That’s why it’s important to have a CO alarm in your home.

How CO Gets Into Homes
CO enters homes when burning fuel does not burn completely. The most common sources of CO in the home are:
-Gas furnaces
-Wood stoves
-Fireplaces
-Water heaters
– generators

Anytime you burn fuel in cars, trucks, grills, fireplaces, stoves, or lanterns, you create CO. You cannot see or smell CO, but it still can be very dangerous.

The best carbon monoxide detectors

There are many ways that carbon monoxide (CO) can enter your home. It can come from fuel-burning appliances, like your furnace, water heater, or stove. Or it might come from a car left running in an attached garage. That’s why it’s important to have a carbon monoxide detector in your house.

The best way to protect your family from CO poisoning is to install detectors on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and keep fresh batteries in the detectors at all times.

How to make your home carbon monoxide-safe

Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. In the home, heating and cooking appliances that burn fuel can be sources of CO. Things like your furnace, boiler, water heater, clothes dryer, and stove are all potential sources of CO.

How does carbon monoxide travel in a house?

CO moves easily through the air and into your lungs when you breathe. It is important to have proper ventilation in your home to prevent a build-up of CO. Anytime you are using appliances that burn fuel, be sure to open a window or door to let fresh air in.

If you think you may have a problem with CO in your home, contact a qualified technician to come and check your appliances.

How to survive carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly if it builds up in a confined space. Every year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds of people in the United States, and sends many more to the emergency room.

The best way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to install a carbon monoxide detector in your home. But even with a detector, it’s important to know what to do if you suspect that you or someone in your home has been poisoned by carbon monoxide.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, or confusion), get out of the house immediately and call 911. Once you are out of the house, do not reenter until the authorities have determined that it is safe to do so.

What to do if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning

If you suspect that you or your family has been poisoned by carbon monoxide, it is important to get to fresh air immediately. Once you are outside, call 911 and then your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not reenter your home until the fire department or a qualified technician says it is safe to do so. If you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, make sure to test it regularly and replace the batteries as needed.

FAQs about carbon monoxide

Common questions about carbon monoxide and how it travels in a house:

-What is carbon monoxide and where does it come from?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that has no color, odor, or taste. It is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are not functioning properly or are not ventilated properly, they can cause CO to build up in your home, putting you and your family at risk.

-Where does carbon monoxide go when it enters a house?
CO is slightly lighter than air and will rise until it reaches an area of the house where the concentration is lower. The speed at which CO rises depends on the temperature and humidity of the air.

-How does carbon monoxide travel through a house?
CO can travel through cracks and openings in walls and floors to reach other areas of the house. It can also travel through heating and cooling systems, ductwork, chimneys, and plumbing.

-How can I tell if there is carbon monoxide in my home?
The only way to know for sure if there is CO in your home is to have a carbon monoxide detector. CO detectors are available at most hardware stores and home improvement centers.

How Does Carbon Monoxide Travel in a House?