It can come from a number of sources throughout your home: a vehicle running in an attached garage or any kind of heater, stove, fireplace, or oven that burns traditional fuel.
Since carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it can be hard to detect. When breathed in, it replaces the oxygen that cells need to function. This can happen over several minutes to a few hours, depending on the source of the gas, potentially leading to unconsciousness or worse. In some cases, a leak is small enough that symptoms can persist over long periods without becoming fatal.
Luckily, there are ways to defend yourself against gas leak dangers:
Detecting CO early on is essential to protecting your home and family. The longer a CO leak is allowed to continue, the more dangerous it becomes. Likewise, if a mechanical failure is at the root of a leak, the odds are good the situation will only become worse until a professional can fix it. With these tips, you’ll be alert to the dangers of CO and able to protect yourself more easily.