Guard against Carbon Monoxide poisoning

Posted by your Inspector, Vince. Austin Property Doctors.

Home inspections include evaluation of systems and situations that can introduce carbon monoxide into your home. One common source is a door that does not automatically close between an attached garage and the home.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fuels like gas, oil, wood, propane, or charcoal. It's often called the "silent killer" because it can build up indoors without warning and cause illness or death. The good news is that CO poisoning is almost always preventable with proper precautions.

Here are the key steps to guard against carbon monoxide in your home, based on recommendations from reliable sources like the CDC, EPA, NFPA, and US Fire Administration:

1. Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

• Place battery-operated or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of your home (including the basement).

• Install them in a central location outside each separate sleeping area (e.g., in hallways near bedrooms) so the alarm can wake you up.

• For the best protection, use interconnected alarms (when one sounds, they all sound).

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for exact placement and mounting height (often around knee height to ~5 feet on a wall, or on the ceiling; avoid placing directly above fuel-burning appliances to prevent false alarms).

• Choose alarms certified by a recognized testing lab (look for UL listing).

• Test them monthly by pressing the test button.

• Replace batteries at least once a year (many people do this when changing clocks for daylight saving time).

• Replace the entire unit every 7–10 years (or sooner per the manufacturer's end-of-life signal).

2. Maintain Fuel-Burning Appliances and Vents

• Have a qualified professional inspect and service all fuel-burning appliances annually (before heating season): furnaces, boilers, water heaters, gas stoves/ovens, fireplaces, wood stoves, gas dryers, and space heaters.

• Ensure flues, chimneys, vents, and exhaust pipes are clear, connected, in good condition, and not blocked (e.g., by debris, nests, or snow).

• Never cover vents or block airflow (e.g., avoid covering oven bottoms with aluminum foil, as it can restrict ventilation).

• Choose properly vented appliances whenever possible, and follow installation and maintenance instructions exactly.

3. Avoid Dangerous Practices

• Never run vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles) in an attached garage—even with the door open—or use remote start without ensuring the garage door is fully open.

• Never use portable generators, charcoal grills, gas camp stoves, or kerosene heaters indoors, in garages, or near windows/doors/vents. Generators should be outdoors, at least 20 feet from the home, with exhaust directed away.

• Do not burn charcoal, use unvented space heaters improperly, or operate gas appliances for heating in enclosed spaces.

• Avoid using gas ovens or stove tops to heat your home.

4. Ensure Good Ventilation

• Use appliances that vent fumes to the outside.

• For unvented space heaters (if unavoidable), follow manufacturer cautions strictly, crack a window for ventilation, and keep doors to other rooms open.

• Keep vents, chimneys, and exhausts clear of obstructions year-round.

5. Know the Symptoms and What to Do If You Suspect CO Poisoning

Common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea/vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and flu-like feelings (without fever). They often improve when you leave the building.

• If your CO alarm sounds or you suspect exposure: Get fresh air immediately—open windows/doors, turn off fuel-burning appliances if safe, and leave the home.

• Call emergency services (911) from outside, and seek medical attention right away (mention possible CO exposure—doctors can test for it via blood).

• Do not ignore symptoms, especially if multiple people or pets are affected.

By focusing on detectors + annual maintenance + safe usage habits, you greatly reduce the risk. If you're in Dallas, Texas, local building codes may require CO detectors in certain locations—check with your city or fire department for specifics.

Stay safe! If you have fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage, prioritize getting detectors installed if you don't already have them.