Natural gas is safe, clean and reliable. When appliances are installed properly and operating efficiently, natural gas burns cleanly, with little residue. However, if your natural gas appliance produces a yellow flame instead of a blue flame, it is not operating efficiently or is not vented properly. Carbon monoxide can be produced under these conditions.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is poisonous. CO is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas. Exposure to high concentrations of CO or prolonged exposure to CO is potentially fatal. To avoid CO hazards, make sure your appliances are properly installed, cleaned, maintained and vented.

The sources of carbon monoxide can include unvented cooking appliances, auto exhaust, blocked chimney flues and malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances.

Indications that carbon monoxide may be present in your home or building include the following:

• Black soot on or near registers, flues, furnace filters, burners or appliance access openings;
• Condensation on windows or interior walls (condensation on widows can also be caused by harmless humidifiers or vaporizers);
• Yellow flame (instead of a blue flame) on appliance burners, indicating improper mixture of air and gas;
• Recent death of a pet or unexplained illness or dead or dying houseplants;
• Absence of draft in your chimney.

What to do if you suspect poisoning. Always be alert to the possibility of exposure to carbon monoxide. Learn to recognize the following symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Initially, flu-like symptoms can include headache, dizziness, ringing in the ears, fatigue, increased perspiration, nausea, weakness and vomiting.
• As carbon monoxide levels increase, the symptoms may become more severe and include shortness of breath, extreme muscular weakness, intermittent convulsions, mental confusion and unconsciousness.
• Severe poisoning can cause such symptoms as change in skin color to pink, lips and mucous membranes change in color to cherry red, and heart and lung failure.

What to do

• Immediately leave the building. Call 911 from a neighbor’s phone or call your local fire or police department.
• Do not re-enter the building until it has been determined safe by emergency response personnel.
• Immediately seek medical assistance for any symptoms, even those you think are minor.

Prevention Tips

• Make certain your appliances are operating properly, no matter what type of fuel you use. Check and maintain proper ventilation of the flue and chimney.
• Have a qualified heating and cooling contractor inspect your gas furnace annually. If you see a yellow furnace flame instead of a blue one, it’s a warning sign that your appliance is not burning efficiently. Call a qualified heating and cooling contractor to inspect your furnace immediately.
• Clean or replace heating system air filters regularly.
• Do not block air intake areas near or around appliances.
• Do not use a gas range or space heater to heat your home.
• Do not start your car, lawn mower, snow blower or any combustion engine in a closed garage.
• Do not operate your grill inside an enclosed porch or garage.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors
There are many carbon monoxide detectors on the market today designed to alert you to the presence of carbon monoxide. If you decide to install one of these detectors, be sure it is approved by Underwriters Laboratories and includes an alarm that can be readily heard. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and installation instructions. DO NOT place a detector in any of the following locations:

• Places where the temperature may drop below 40 degrees F
• Near paint or paint thinner fumes
• In the kitchen or within five feet of open flames from appliances
• In close proximity to vents, flues or chimneys

Know the sound your detector makes when it goes off. Be able to tell the difference between your carbon monoxide detector and your smoke detector.