The days are getting shorter, there's a nip in the air, and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is on the rise.

Through public service campaigns and tragic news stories the word is out that smoke and fire detectors are important lifesavers. However, many homeowners still overlook the risk posed by carbon monoxide and fail to take the steps necessary to protect against this killer.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that every year, more than 200 people in the United States die unintentionally from carbon monoxide. Several thousand go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment after being poisoned by the gas.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is produced by the incomplete burning of fuel, whether solid, liquid or gas. People have been killed and injured by malfunctioning furnaces, ranges water heaters and room heaters. The CPSC says some are killed "from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from CO produced by cars left running in attached garages."

CO is especially dangerous because it's colorless and odorless. The risk of poisoning rises as homeowners kick on the furnace, seal the windows for winter, and heat the car inside the garage. You also might be more likely to overlook the early signs of CO poisoning at this time of year because its symptoms are similar to those of the flu.

Whether your home is new or old, there are many ways to protect against CO poisoning. The Environmental Protection Agency says you should first know the signs of CO poisoning. "At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated or faint."

If you experience symptoms you suspect could be from CO poisoning, the EPA says you should:

• Get fresh air immediately. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.

• Go to an emergency room and tell the physician you suspect CO poisoning. It can often be diagnosed by a blood test done soon after exposure.

However, both the EPA and CPSC say prevention is the key. Among their recommendations:

• Make sure appliances are installed according to manufacturer's instructions and local building codes.

• Have your heating system, including chimneys and vents, inspected and serviced annually.

• Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent.

• Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.

• Have your vehicle inspected for exhaust leaks, if you have any symptoms of CO poisoning.

• When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation.

• Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens or clothes dryers for heating your home.

• Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors.

• Open a window slightly whenever using a kerosene heater. Kerosene heaters are illegal in many states. Always check with local authorities before buying or using one.

• Consider buying a carbon monoxide detector.

While CO detectors are widely available in stores, installing one in your home should be considered a back-up to the prevention tips above. The detectors won't prevent a leak of CO into your home, only warn you once the gas is there.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) also cautions homeowners to be aware that CO detectors are not a substitute for smoke detectors. If you have both alarms in your home, know the difference between the sound of the two detectors.

Like smoke detectors, CO monitors can be battery operated, run on electricity, be hard-wired into electric or security systems, or be electric with a battery backup. Newer models do more than just sound an alarm, they also show the amount of CO in the air. The October issue of Consumer Reports magazine rates a number of detectors currently on the market.

The NFPA advises that if you buy CO detectors:

• Select detectors listed by a qualified, independent testing laboratory.

• Follow manufacturer's recommendations for placement in your home.

• Contact your local fire department to determine what number to call in the event your CO alarm sounds.

• Test CO detectors at least once a month, following the manufacturer's instructions.

• Replace CO detectors according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually about every two years.

Now, throw a log on the fire, curl up with a cup of hot chocolate and relax.

Carol Ochs is a Washington-based reporter who covers new home trends.

Published: September 19, 2001

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws -- http://www.loc.gov/copyright.