Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Invisible, Tasteless, Odorless
A Silent Killer

It is a leading cause of poisoning in the United States. One of the reasons it is so deadly, is that fumes from vehicle exhausts include Carbon Monoxide (CO), a colorless, tasteless, odorless and non irritating by product of incomplete combustion.

This invisible gas, silently asphyxiates its victims.

Protect your family by being alert to its dangers:

* Know how to Prevent CO Poisoning

* Look for these Warning Signs

* Know Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

* With Links To More About Carbon Monoxide

* Buy  Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon Monoxide

When cold engines first start, they often run rich. The catalytic converter is cold and not converting the deadly gas to Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Concentrations of exhaust gas can fill the Garage with this deadly invisible killer in a very short time.

Even with the Garage Door(s) open.

Once your car is backed out of the Garage and the Garage Door closed, concentrations of CO Gas can still remain, trapped in the Garage. If your garage is part of, or attached to your home, invisible gas fumes could easily enter your living areas where it can remain for hours. REMEMBER, this gas is a Sneaky Silent KILLER

Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen.

If there is a lot of CO in the air, your body may replace oxygen in your blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into your body, which can damage tissues in your body and can kill you.

Knowing where Carbon Monoxide (CO) is found and how to avoid it can protect you from serious injury or death.

Protective Measures

Protect your family from this dangerous SILENT KILLER:

* Never leave vehicles, lawn mowers, snow mobiles, etc. running in the garage .. even with the garage door open

* Don't ever warm-up a car in a Garage, even with the Garage Door open. It only takes a few minutes, gas fumes can build lethal concentrations in the Garage. In an attached Garage, fumes could quickly spread to the house

* Check and repair exhaust system leaks

* Make sure everyone is in the car and ready to leave before starting the car.

* Start the car and immediately back out and close the Garage Door

* Have a qualified professional thoroughly inspect and clean your heating and cooling equipment at least once a year

* Combustion equipment must be maintained to assure that there are no blockages and air and fuel mixtures must be properly adjusted to ensure more complete combustion.

The above preventive measures are your first line of defense. Follow these preventive measures to keep yourself and your family safe from this silent KILLER.

Carbon Monoxide Warning Signs

Warning Signs Of High Co Levels:

* Flu-like symptoms that disappear when you spend time outside.

* Unusually high humidity with persistent condensation on walls or windows.

* Stuffy or stale air inside your garage or home.

If you suspect CO poisoning, leave the garage or house immediately and seek medical attention.

If You Suspect High Co Levels In Your Home:

* Get your family outside. Seek medical attention for CO poisoning symptoms.

* Call your heating fuel supplier or a licensed heating contractor for an emergency inspection.

* Don't return to your home until the source of the CO has been discovered and the problem has been corrected.

CO Poisoning Symptoms

Red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they pick up oxygen.

If there is a lot of CO in the air, your body may replace oxygen in your blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into your body, which can damage tissues in your body and can kill you.

Knowing where Carbon Monoxide is found and how to avoid it can protect you from serious injury or death.

The physical symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning vary, depending on the amount of CO in the bloodstream. The higher the concentration, the greater the danger.

Symptoms of CO mimic those of the flu.

* At low levels, CO poisoning causes headaches, nausea, and drowsiness;

* At higher levels, it causes vomiting, loss of consciousness, and death;