Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: A Silent Threat in Minnesota Homes

Key Takeaways

• Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that can go undetected in homes, especially in winter.
• Low levels of carbon monoxide can cause headaches, dizziness, and confusion. High levels can lead to unconsciousness, long-term health issues, or even death.
• Common sources of carbon monoxide include gas stoves, furnaces, fireplaces, heaters, and portable generators.
• Installing a CO detector and following certain safety habits will help keep your family safe from carbon monoxide.

What Is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas found in many homes. Unfortunately, it is also poisonous. Because it is virtually impossible to detect without special sensors, it is a genuine threat to homeowners. You could be breathing in dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide without realizing it. Even at low concentrations, carbon monoxide can cause severe health problems. In high amounts, it can be fatal.

Why Is Carbon Monoxide So Dangerous?

When inhaled, carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the blood. This deprives your body of the oxygen it needs to function normally, especially in vital organs like the heart and lungs. Large amounts of carbon monoxide can kill within minutes without warning. Victims quickly lose consciousness and suffocate. At lower levels, the effects of carbon monoxide can compound over time, leading to long-term health concerns.

Where Carbon Monoxide Comes From

Carbon monoxide is produced by household appliances and equipment that burn fuel. Common sources of CO include:

• Household appliances, such as gas-powered stoves, ovens, water heaters, and furnaces
• Vehicles that run on gasoline or diesel, including cars, trucks, boats, and snowmobiles
• Portable devices and tools, such as generators, power washers, snowblowers, and other engine-driven equipment
• Grills, fireplaces, or any other item that burns charcoal or wood

When these devices aren’t properly ventilated or maintained, carbon monoxide can build up to dangerous levels.

Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

There are many possible causes of household carbon monoxide buildup in and around homes.

• Blocked or poorly maintained chimneys and vents: Fireplaces and gas furnaces need clean chimneys and vents to expel CO. Blocked vents or chimneys trap carbon monoxide, which can then leak back into living spaces, endangering those who live there.
• Damaged or malfunctioning household appliances: Gas stoves, ovens, water heaters, and furnaces with leaks or broken parts can produce dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide.
• Using generators or gas-powered tools indoors: Portable generators and heaters release CO during operation. When used indoors (or outside, but too close to windows or vents), they can fill the air with CO. Running a generator in a garage or basement is a common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Vehicles idling in enclosed spaces: Running a car inside a garage, even with the door open, can allow carbon monoxide to accumulate. Idling vehicles in underground or poorly ventilated parking areas is equally risky.
• Burning charcoal or propane in an enclosed space: Using grills or heaters in a tent, cabin, or garage has led to many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.

In Minnesota, winter is the most common time for carbon monoxide poisoning because windows and doors are more likely to be closed. This traps gasses inside and increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

PRO TIP:

A mostly yellow flame indicates incomplete combustion for gas appliances, which could mean high carbon monoxide production. Pilot lights and other flames should generally burn blue, so schedule a checkup with a technician if they turn yellow.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide often builds up over time, leading to early symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Many of these symptoms may seem like a cold and flu, which are also typical winter illnesses. For this reason, early signs of carbon monoxide often go untreated, adding to the danger.

During prolonged or high carbon monoxide exposure, symptoms become more severe. This can include:

• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Falling
• Loss of consciousness
• Muscle weakness

Symptoms vary widely from person to person and can occur sooner in those most susceptible to environmental changes, including young children, older adults, or individuals with lung or heart disease. Carbon monoxide poses an especially grave risk to fetuses.

A mostly yellow flame indicates incomplete combustion for gas appliances, which could mean high carbon monoxide production. Pilot lights and other flames should generally burn blue, so schedule a checkup with a technician if they turn yellow.

Treatment for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning typically involves several steps:

• Immediate removal from CO exposure: The first step is to move the affected person to fresh air as quickly as possible. This helps prevent further CO inhalation.
• Oxygen therapy: Once in a safe environment, the primary treatment is administering 100% oxygen through a mask. Breathing pure oxygen speeds up the removal of CO from the bloodstream, helping to replace it with oxygen more quickly than with normal air.
• Supportive care: Other treatments may include IV fluids, medications for symptoms like nausea, and monitoring for complications, especially for those with heart or lung conditions. Recovery time depends on the level and duration of exposure.

If caught in time, carbon monoxide poisoning is reversible, and victims of poisoning can recover. Acute poisoning, however, may result in permanent damage to various parts of the body (specifically the heart and brain) due to the loss of oxygen over an extended period.

Protecting Your Home from Carbon Monoxide

Preventing carbon monoxide buildup in your home requires a few simple precautions. By following these steps, you can make your home safe for everyone.

Install CO Detectors

CO detectors are affordable and readily available. Installing one may save your life or the lives of those you love. Under Minnesota law, every home should have one or more CO detectors, with a separate detector placed within 10 feet of each sleeping area.

Service Appliances Regularly

Gas-powered appliances like furnaces, stoves, and water heaters should be inspected and serviced annually by professionals. Routine maintenance helps ensure they operate safely and that no leaks or ventilation issues have developed.

Be Mindful of Wood-Burning Stoves

Wood stoves, when not properly maintained, can produce large amounts of carbon monoxide. Schedule professional inspections before each heating season, and clean the chimney and flue to ensure no obstructions like creosote or debris, which can restrict airflow.

Ventilate Your Home

Ensure all fuel-burning appliances have clear, unobstructed vents that direct exhaust outdoors. Keep vents and chimneys clean and inspect them regularly for blockages caused by debris or animal nests, common causes of carbon monoxide leaks.

Use Portable Generators with Caution

If using a generator during a power outage, always operate it outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, or vents. Never run a generator inside a garage or enclosed space, as carbon monoxide can quickly accumulate to hazardous levels.

Don’t Leave Vehicles Running

Never leave a vehicle running in a garage or enclosed area, even with the door open. For attached garages, be mindful of CO entering your home when the car is idling, especially in winter.

In colder weather, snow or ice can block the tailpipe, causing CO to enter the vehicle cabin if left running. Always check that the exhaust pipe is clear of snow and debris before warming up your car in cold months.

Avoid Using Grills or Heaters Indoors

Charcoal grills, camp stoves, and portable heaters designed for outdoor use should never be used indoors. These can emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide within minutes in enclosed spaces.

CO Detector Requirements in Minnesota

The single most important step for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is installing a CO detector in your home. It’s also required by state law. All new and existing single-family and multi-unit homes must have CO alarms in Minnesota. Under Statute 299F.51:

• Homeowners and landlords are required to equip homes with one or more approved carbon monoxide alarms.
• There must be an alarm within 10 feet of every room used for sleeping.
• The owner must replace any CO alarm system stolen, removed, missing, or rendered inoperable.
• The occupant must keep and maintain the device in good repair. Removing or rendering inoperable any required carbon monoxide alarm is an offense.

Certain multifamily buildings with minimal sources of carbon monoxide may be exempt if they certify the building as low risk to the commissioner of public safety.

How to Install a CO Detector in Your Home

Proper installation of carbon monoxide (CO) detectors is crucial to protect against CO poisoning. Here’s how to ensure your detectors are positioned and maintained correctly.

1. Select the correct type of detector: CO detectors come in plug-in, battery-operated, and hardwired models. Choose one certified to meet Underwriters Laboratories (UL2034) standards for reliable detection.
2. Install detectors: Install at least one detector on each level of your home, with priority placement within 10 feet of all sleeping areas, as required by Minnesota law. Additional detectors in high-risk areas, such as near fuel-burning appliances or in attached garages, add extra safety.
3. Avoid certain locations: Do not place CO detectors in humid areas like bathrooms or directly above stoves, as steam and heat may interfere with their functionality. Keep detectors away from windows, doors, or areas with strong air drafts to ensure accurate readings.
4. Test monthly: Press the test button on each detector monthly to ensure it’s working correctly. Replace batteries at least twice a year or as indicated by the manufacturer. Test both the alarm and backup functions for hardwired models with backup batteries.
5. Clean every six months: Carbon monoxide sensors should be cleared of debris every six months. To clean your carbon monoxide sensor, wipe down the outside of the detector with a soft cloth. Then, use the soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to gently vacuum the detector. Spray around the area with a canned air duster to remove any remaining debris.
6. Replace detectors when needed: Most CO detectors last five to seven years, after which they lose sensitivity. Check the manufacturer’s expiration date and replace detectors as recommended to maintain optimal safety.certify the building as low risk to the commissioner of public safety.

Carbon monoxide from vehicles in an attached garage can seep into the home. Place a CO detector near the door to the garage for added safety, especially during colder months when garages are used as sheltered spaces​.

What To Do If Your CO Detector Goes Off

If your CO detector detects a buildup of carbon monoxide in your home, the alarm will sound. Here’s what to do.

1. First, don’t panic. Keep a cool head and be ready to calm down any members of your family who may be distressed. 
2. Gather everyone together and leave the house, moving out into the fresh air. (And don’t forget your pets in the rush! Animals may be frightened by the alarm and prone to hiding, so fetch them if necessary.)
3. If you can, quickly open some or all of the windows in your home before heading outside. This will help ventilate the space.
4. Check everyone for flu-like symptoms that may suggest poisoning. If anyone does appear ill, call 911 immediately.
5. Do not re-enter your home until the alarm stops and/or the home has been cleared by the proper authorities.
6. Contact a professional to evaluate fuel-burning appliances and other carbon monoxide sources and prevent further incidents.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious condition. If you fear you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, see a doctor right away and get your home cleared as soon as possible. Long-term exposure can be dangerous and deadly.

Protecting Your Family from Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a preventable disaster that claims lives every year. By following Minnesota’s CO detector laws and implementing safe practices, you can protect your household from this invisible threat.

If you or a loved one has experienced carbon monoxide poisoning, you may be entitled to fair compensation, especially if the harm was caused by a faulty product. Schedule a free consultation with SiebenCarey to learn more about your rights and explore your options.