This is the time of year when the weather cools down and we begin to use our furnaces and fireplaces. We are all concerned about the health and safety of our families. Don’t let carbon monoxide become a threat.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of material such as gasoline, natural gas, kerosene, liquid petroleum, oil, charcoal, coal, wood and tobacco. The primary source of CO emissions in today’s world is gasoline-powered automobiles.

Carbon monoxide prevents the body from using oxygen efficiently, causing asphyxiation (suffocation). CO remains inside the body for hours. The effects depend on how much carbon monoxide is in the air, how long it is breathed, and how healthy an individual is. The effects include headache, loss of alertness, flu like symptoms, nausea, fatigue, fast breathing, confusion, disorientation, impaired judgment and overall weakness. High concentrations of CO can cause seizures, unconsciousness and death. The longer a person breathes CO, the worse the effects can be. Effects are generally worse for older people, unborn children and people with heart, circulatory, or lung disease.

One February, a mother told me the entire family had been sick since November. They tried to use their recently repaired fireplace but it didn’t work. Upon inspection I found that the gas water heater and the furnace flues were completely sealed off, allowing all the products of combustion to come up through the floors from the crawl space. The furnace went into full usage in November, and began poisoning the family in the process. Thank goodness the fireplace didn’t work, as this prompted the detection of the problem!

With my company Boston Brick & Stone, I have seen that 1 in 100 of these chimneys have had their entire furnace and water heater flues sealed off in the chimney by a contractor who did not know what he was doing. Most of these did have working fireplaces so one cannot equate a working fireplace to a working appliance flue.

If you suspect a person has CO poisoning get them outside into fresh air immediately. Call 911 and/or the Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. Then open as many windows in the home as possible.

We recommend that Carbon Monoxide detectors be placed throughout the house, especially around the fireplace. With a gas log fireplace, a Carbon Monoxide detector is must. CO has the same density as air and therefore simply moves around the room with the air. We recommend the installation of at least three CO detectors in any room which has gas logs. The detectors are relatively inexpensive and are installed by anyone who can change a light bulb. Be sure to buy the type that has an audible alarm.