Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can make you seriously ill if you breathe it in. It is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned. Carbon monoxide can build up in a home due to a variety of reasons, including:

• Poorly maintained or ventilated appliances: Appliances that burn fuel, such as gas boilers, gas cookers, and wood, gas, and coal fires, can produce carbon monoxide if they are not installed properly, are faulty, or are poorly maintained.

• Poorly ventilated spaces: Poorly ventilated fireplaces and other gas- or wood-burning appliances can also pose a danger.

• Blocked chimneys or flues: Chimneys can be blocked by debris, which can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your home or cabin.

• Using fuel-burning appliances incorrectly: Using a gas range or oven for heating, burning charcoal indoors, or using a portable gas camp stove indoors can cause carbon monoxide to build up inside your home.

• Idling cars: Even more people die from carbon monoxide produced by idling cars.

To protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning, it is important to install a carbon monoxide alarm outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home. Make sure alarms aren’t blocked by furniture or curtains. Additionally, you should have your fuel-burning appliances properly installed and keep them well maintained, keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained, and never use fuel-burning appliances incorrectly.