Department of Public Safety

Tips to Help Prevent Accidental Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Accidental CO poisoning can happen any time.

March 1, 2012 | 2 min reading time

This article is 14 years old. It was published on March 1, 2012.

The St. Louis Fire Department offers these helpful tips to prevent accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning: 

  • Have all fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, stoves, space heaters, dryers, and water heaters) professionally installed and maintained.
  • Never use a portable generator indoors, including in your home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or partially-enclosed area -- even with ventilation.  Opening doors and windows or using fans will NOT prevent CO buildup in the home.
  • Never bring a charcoal grill in an enclosed area, even with ventilation.
  • Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
  • Install CO alarms near sleeping areas.  Alarms can be battery operated, plug-in with battery backup or hardwired with battery backup.

For more information about carbon monoxide alarms, you may call the St. Louis Fire Department HQ at (314) 533-3406.

 

Department of Public Safety

City of St. Louis

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