Stay Safe at Home: A Guide to Preventing Household Poisonings

8. Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a compound produced by combustion and is also present in smoke. House fires account for the majority of carbon monoxide poisoning, but there are other dangers against which people must prepare. With the invention of self-starting vehicles, people can now warm up their car while getting ready to leave. Unfortunately, if there is no ventilation in the garage, the carbon monoxide fumes produced from the combustion of the engine can be deadly. Further, since the gas has no smell, this silent threat can easily go unnoticed, and people can feel its effects within a few minutes.