Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a new factsheet: “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Protect Your Family and Yourself.” This video highlights key information from the factsheet about how to stay safe and prevent life-threatening exposure to carbon monoxide.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless, and highly toxic gas. Because people can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, CO can be dangerous before anyone even realizes it’s there.
The effects of CO exposure can vary depending on one’s age, overall health, how long they’re exposed, and the gas concentration.
Common Symptoms
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like the flu, but without a fever. They may include:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
⚠️ Play it safe!
At high levels, carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. EPA warns that if one ever experiences these symptoms and thinks CO might be the cause:
• Get to fresh air immediately, and
• Seek medical attention right away.
Sources of CO Indoors
Any fuel-burning appliance can produce carbon monoxide, especially if it’s not properly installed, maintained, or ventilated. Common sources include:
• Leaking furnaces or chimneys
• Unvented gas or kerosene space heaters
• Gas stoves
• Wood stoves
• Improperly vented fireplaces
Never run a vehicle inside a garage. Even with the door open, carbon monoxide can build up quickly to deadly levels.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Here are some important steps to help keep a home safe:
• Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.
o Place them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.
o Test alarms every month.
o Interconnect alarms when possible — if one sounds, they all sound.
o Follow manufacturer instructions and local building codes for placement and replacement schedules.
• Avoid using unvented fuel-burning space heaters indoors.
• Use an exhaust fan vented outdoors when cooking on a gas stove.
• Keep the fireplace flue open when in use.
• Have all fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, and chimneys installed and inspected annually by a certified professional.
• Never use grills, hibachis, or camp stoves indoors.
• Never operate a portable generator inside or within 20 feet of a building.
This is just a brief overview of carbon monoxide exposure risks and prevention tips. To learn more about this topic — or about other indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues — please visit the websites shown on your screen.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released a new factsheet: “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Protect Your Family and Yourself.” This video highlights key information from the factsheet about how to stay safe and prevent life-threatening exposure to carbon monoxide.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless, and highly toxic gas. Because people can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, CO can be dangerous before anyone even realizes it’s there.
The effects of CO exposure can vary depending on one’s age, overall health, how long they’re exposed, and the gas concentration.
Common Symptoms
Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can feel like the flu, but without a fever. They may include:
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
⚠️ Play it safe!
At high levels, carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. EPA warns that if one ever experiences these symptoms and thinks CO might be the cause:
• Get to fresh air immediately, and
• Seek medical attention right away.
Sources of CO Indoors
Any fuel-burning appliance can produce carbon monoxide, especially if it’s not properly installed, maintained, or ventilated. Common sources include:
• Leaking furnaces or chimneys
• Unvented gas or kerosene space heaters
• Gas stoves
• Wood stoves
• Improperly vented fireplaces
Never run a vehicle inside a garage. Even with the door open, carbon monoxide can build up quickly to deadly levels.
How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Here are some important steps to help keep a home safe:
• Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.
o Place them at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances.
o Test alarms every month.
o Interconnect alarms when possible — if one sounds, they all sound.
o Follow manufacturer instructions and local building codes for placement and replacement schedules.
• Avoid using unvented fuel-burning space heaters indoors.
• Use an exhaust fan vented outdoors when cooking on a gas stove.
• Keep the fireplace flue open when in use.
• Have all fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, and chimneys installed and inspected annually by a certified professional.
• Never use grills, hibachis, or camp stoves indoors.
• Never operate a portable generator inside or within 20 feet of a building.
This is just a brief overview of carbon monoxide exposure risks and prevention tips. To learn more about this topic — or about other indoor air quality, environmental, health, or safety issues — please visit the websites shown on your screen.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
