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Carbon Monoxide Home Safety: Protect Your Home and How to Prepare
How to Protect Your Home, Family, Pets and Friends. Warning Signs and What to Look For. How to Make Safety Part of Your Routine. You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but you can take steps to protect your family from it. Working alarms, regular appliance maintenance, and safe habits all help reduce the risk.
October 1st, 2026
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds or you suspect poisoning, get everyone outside immediately and call 911 or your local emergency number from a safe location. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
What Is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide, often called CO, is a poisonous gas produced when fuel burns. Furnaces, water heaters, fireplaces, vehicles, and generators can release it. When CO builds up indoors, it can cause serious illness or death—even before someone recognizes a problem. CDC
Recognize the Warning Signs
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can resemble the flu and may include:
Headache or dizziness
Weakness
Nausea or vomiting
Chest pain
Confusion
High exposure can cause loss of consciousness or death. People who are asleep may be overcome before noticing symptoms. Never wait for symptoms to appear before responding to a CO alarm. CDC
Install and Maintain Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Install CO alarms on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area. Choose battery-powered alarms or models with battery backup so they can function during a power outage. Interconnected alarms provide added protection: when one sounds, they all sound.
Test alarms monthly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement, battery care, and replacement, and check the expiration date on each unit. CPSC alarm guidance
Keep Fuel-Burning Equipment Safe
Have a qualified technician service your heating system, water heater, and other fuel-burning appliances every year. Arrange an annual chimney inspection or cleaning, and keep appliance exhaust paths clear.
Never use a gas oven to heat your home, burn charcoal indoors, or operate an outdoor camping stove inside. Never leave a vehicle running in an attached garage—even with the garage door open. CDC
Use Portable Generators Outdoors Only
Power outages can create a serious CO hazard when generators are used incorrectly.
Always operate a portable generator outdoors, at least 20 feet from homes, with the exhaust directed away from buildings. Keep it away from doors, windows, and vents. Never run it inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space, even with doors or windows open. Keep working CO alarms inside your home whenever a generator is in use. CPSC generator safety guidance
What to Do If a CO Alarm Sounds
Treat a carbon monoxide alarm as an emergency:
Get everyone outside into fresh air immediately.
Call 911 or your local emergency number from outside. Tell the dispatcher if anyone has symptoms.
Stay outside until emergency responders say it is safe to return.
Do not delay evacuation to find the source or silence the alarm. If you suspect poisoning, seek emergency help even if symptoms improve outdoors. CPSC carbon monoxide emergency guidance
Make Safety Part of Your Routine
Take a few minutes today to test your CO alarms, check their replacement dates, and schedule any overdue appliance maintenance. Share your emergency plan with everyone in your household so they know where to meet outside and whom to call.
These simple steps can help protect your family throughout the year.
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