You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels it can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood or charcoal is burned. If appliances that burn fuel are maintained and used properly, the amount of CO produced is usually not hazardous. However, if appliances and equipment are not working properly or are used incorrectly, dangerous levels of CO can result. Hundreds of people die accidentally every year from CO poisoning caused by malfunctioning or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars. The unborn, infants, elderly people, and people with anemia or with a history of heart or respiratory disease can be especially susceptible. Be smart, be safe.Hot Topics
- November 2012 is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month
- Eliminating the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home – November 2012 Press Release
General Information
- Publications
- Carbon Monoxide Awareness Presentation
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention: A Toolkit. CDC publication
- “The Quiet Killer” – a video on CO from the CDC (run time: 3:15 min.)
- Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning, EPA fact sheet
- Carbon Monoxide Fact Sheet, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Power Knocked Out? Generate a Safer Home, GreenWorks, December 2009
- The Invisible Killer, US Consumer Product Safety Commission informational brochure
- Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers, US Consumer Product Safety Commission fact sheet
- Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Information for Older Adults and their Caregivers, EPA fact sheet
- Carbon Monoxide: Health Information Summary (DES Fact Sheet ARD-EHP-20)
- Carbon Monoxide Awareness Presentation
- Web sites
- Carbon Monoxide, US Environmental Protection Agency CO web site
- Carbon Monoxide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CO web site
- Carbon Monoxide, Northern New England Poison Center CO web site
- Carbon Monoxide Maintenance Areas in New England, EPA web page
- US Consumer Product Safety Neighborhood Safety Network CO web site
Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the Home
- Carbon Monoxide Detection Devices in Dwellings, Office of State Fire Marshall informational bulletin
Emergency Generators
- Residential Generator Safety Office of State Fire Marshall informational bulletin
- Carbon Monoxide Hazards from Small Gasoline Powered Engines CDC
- Emergency Generator Safety New York State Electric & Gas Corp.
- Information for Families Regarding Residential Generator Safety, reprinted from Stepping Stones NH 2010-2011.
News releases, PSAs and Media Stories
- HB 317, relative to CO detection devices, went into effect July 1, 2011
- Seventh Grader from N.H. finalist in CO Poster Contest – CPSC press release March 15, 2011
- The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide, a 60-second PSA from DES Commissioner Thomas Burack. [Audio] [Text]
- Carbon Monoxide, a 30-second PSA from DES
For More Information
- DES Air Resources Outreach and Education; (603) 271-1390
- Northern New England Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 or if 1-800 number is not working, try (207) 662-7212.
- DOS Fire Marshal’s Office (603) 223-4289
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission (603) 898-1396; dburns@cpsc.gov
- DHHS (603) 271-4957
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