Carbon Monoxide Safety: What Every Homeowner Should Know

You probably don’t think twice about turning on your furnace, cooking dinner on a gas range, lighting the fireplace, or starting your car in the morning.

But when fuel burns, there’s one invisible danger every homeowner should understand:

Carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless and odorless gas that can cause serious illness or death when it builds up indoors. Because you can’t see or smell it, you may not realize there’s a problem without a working carbon monoxide alarm. (CDC)

The good news is that there are relatively simple steps you can take to help protect your household.

Let’s talk about where carbon monoxide comes from, where alarms should be installed, and what every homeowner should know.

Where Does Carbon Monoxide Come From?

Carbon monoxide is produced when fuels burn.

Potential sources around a home can include:

• Gas or oil furnaces
• Gas ranges and ovens
• Gas water heaters
• Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves
• Portable generators
• Charcoal grills
• Gasoline-powered equipment
• Cars and trucks

Problems can occur when fuel-burning equipment malfunctions, isn’t properly vented, or is used in an enclosed or inappropriate space. (CDC)

That’s why carbon monoxide safety isn’t only something to think about during winter.

It’s a year-round home safety issue.

How Many Carbon Monoxide Alarms Do You Need?

One alarm tucked somewhere in the house isn’t necessarily enough.

NFPA guidance recommends installing and maintaining carbon monoxide alarms outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, as well as in other locations required by applicable laws or codes. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper placement and mounting. (NFPA)

For example, if you have bedrooms upstairs and a finished basement downstairs, you’ll want to consider coverage for each occupiable level in addition to the areas outside sleeping rooms.

Attics and crawl spaces aren’t automatically included simply because they’re part of the structure.

Your home’s layout matters.

Local requirements may also vary, so check the rules that apply where you live.

Don’t Forget the Attached Garage

Your garage deserves special attention.

Never run a vehicle inside an attached garage, even if the garage door is open.

Vehicle exhaust contains carbon monoxide, and dangerous fumes can enter the home. The CDC specifically warns against running a car or truck inside a garage attached to a house, even with the garage door open. (CDC)

That means warming up the car inside the garage on a cold morning isn’t worth the risk.

Pull the vehicle outside first.

What About Generators?

This becomes especially important during storms and power outages.

Never operate a portable generator inside your home, basement, garage, or carport.

Opening windows or garage doors doesn’t make indoor generator use safe.

The CDC recommends operating generators outdoors and more than 20 feet away from windows, doors, and vents. (CDC)

This is worth knowing before an emergency happens.

If a storm knocks out power, you don’t want that to be the moment you’re figuring out where your generator can safely operate.

Maintain Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Installing CO alarms is step one.

Maintaining them is just as important.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing, battery replacement, placement, and replacement of the alarm itself.

If your alarms use replaceable batteries, check them regularly. The CDC recommends checking CO alarm batteries when clocks change in the spring and fall. (CDC)

And don’t assume an alarm lasts forever.

Check the manufacturer’s replacement instructions and the information printed on your particular unit. If you can’t remember when an older alarm was installed, that’s worth investigating today.

When purchasing an alarm, choose one that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory. (NFPA)

For additional protection, NFPA recommends interconnected CO alarms so that when one alarm sounds, the others sound as well. (NFPA)

Your Appliances Need Maintenance Too

CO alarms are an important safety measure, but they don’t replace proper maintenance.

The CDC recommends having your heating system, water heater, and other gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. Chimneys should also be checked or cleaned annually because blockages can contribute to carbon monoxide buildup inside a home. (CDC)

This ties directly into something I tell homeowners often:

Preventative maintenance matters.

It’s easy to ignore a furnace, fireplace, or water heater when everything seems to be working normally.

But regular professional maintenance can identify problems before they become emergencies.

Know the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Because you can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, recognizing possible symptoms is important.

Common symptoms can include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Confusion

Symptoms are sometimes described as feeling similar to the flu. High levels of exposure can cause someone to lose consciousness or die. (CDC)

Infants, older adults, and people with certain chronic health conditions may be more vulnerable to becoming ill from carbon monoxide exposure. (CDC)

If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, don’t ignore it or simply remove the batteries.

Get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911. (CDC Stacks)

A Few Simple Ways to Reduce Your Risk

Carbon monoxide safety doesn’t need to be complicated.

Make these practices part of your normal home maintenance routine:

• Install CO alarms in the appropriate locations throughout your home.
• Test and maintain alarms according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have fuel-burning appliances professionally serviced.
• Have chimneys inspected and cleaned as appropriate.
• Never use a charcoal grill indoors.
• Never heat your home with a gas oven.
• Never operate a generator inside your home, basement, garage, or carport.
• Keep operating generators more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents.
• Never run a vehicle inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open. (CDC)

These aren’t complicated home improvement projects.

They’re simple habits that can make your home safer.

What About Carbon Monoxide Requirements When Buying or Selling?

Carbon monoxide alarm requirements aren’t identical everywhere.

Depending on where a property is located, building codes, state laws, or local ordinances may establish requirements for where alarms must be installed or when they’re required.

That’s why buyers and sellers shouldn’t rely on a general internet checklist to determine whether a particular property complies with applicable requirements.

If you’re buying a home, pay attention to existing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during your inspection and ask questions if you’re unsure about what’s installed.

And once you own the home, don’t assume that an alarm being present means it’s current or functioning properly.

Check it.

The Bottom Line

Carbon monoxide isn’t something homeowners need to be afraid of, but it is something they should take seriously.

A few minutes spent checking your alarms, understanding your fuel-burning appliances, and scheduling appropriate maintenance can make a meaningful difference.

So here’s your homework:

Walk through your home today.

Do you have carbon monoxide alarms in the appropriate locations?

Do you know how old they are?

Do you know when they were last tested?

And when was the last time your fuel-burning appliances were professionally serviced?

If you don’t know the answers, now is a good time to find out.

Need a Trusted Home Service Professional?

Part of homeownership is knowing who to call before something goes wrong.

If you need help finding a trusted HVAC professional, chimney specialist, home inspector, or other home service provider, reach out. I’m always happy to help connect you with resources for taking care of your home.

Small & Co. Realty Group
Small enough to know your story. Experienced enough to guide you through it with confidence.