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Carbon Monoxide Safety

Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County

Carbon Monoxide Safety
(PDF, 81KB)

Download the Factsheet: Carbon Monoxide Safety Factsheet (PDF, 81KB)

CO is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is very deadly. Inhaling CO can cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for people with heart disease, shortness of breath, stomach pain, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, vision programs, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, death.

Risk Factors for Exposure Include:

  • Generator Exhaust
  • Open Flame Grill Fumes
  • Vehicles Used Inside
  • Lantern Fuel Exhaust

Poisoning Signs and Symptoms Include:

  • Nausea / Vomiting
  • Dizziness / Weakness
  • Chest Pain
  • Confusion
  • Headache

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide.

If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak get to fresh air immediately.

Portable Generators Produce High Levels of CO Very Quickly

  • Never use a generator indoors!
  • Always keep portable generators or gasoline engines outside and at least 20 feet away from your home.
  • Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house or garage, vehicle, tent, or fireplace.

CO Alarms Save Lives

  • Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup in every room of your home.
  • Test your CO alarms regularly.

CO Poisoning

For severe CO poisoning, call 911 or the Florida Poison Information Center : 1-800-222-1222. 

Learn more:

Florida Health Minute
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
(Video Length 1:09)