Running a car or generator in an attached garage can cause fatal CO poisoning in the home. If the cab of a truck is defectively designed, sleeping in the cab while the engine is running can pose a danger. So can using a gas-powered generator or burning wood or charcoal in the basement, crawlspace or even next to a living area if a window or door is open, as lethal fumes could seep into your home.
The best protection against carbon monoxide poisoning in the home is to have a CO detector installed near your bedrooms. Be sure also to have your furnace serviced regularly. To learn more, visit our safety tips page.
Safety
Tips to Avoid
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
This
information is provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission:
Proper
installation, operation and maintenance of fuel-burning
appliances in the home is the most important factor
in reducing the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Make sure appliances are installed according to the
manufacturer's instructions and the local codes. Most
appliances should be installed by professionals.
Have
the heating system (including chimneys and vents)
inspected and serviced annually by a trained service
technician. Examine vents and chimneys regularly for
improper connections, visible cracks, rust or stains.
Look
for problems that could indicate improper appliance
operations:
Decreased
hot water supply
Furnace
unable to heat house or runs continuously
Sooting,
especially on appliances and vents
Unfamiliar,
or burning odor
Increased
moisture inside of windows
Install
battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with
battery back-up in your home. Every home should have
a CO alarm in the hallway near the bedrooms in each
separate sleeping area. The CO alarms should be certified
to the requirements of the most recent UL, IAS or
CSA standard for CO alarms. Test your CO alarms frequently
and replace dead batteries. A CO alarm can provide
added protection, but is no substitute for proper
installation, use and upkeep of appliances that are
potential CO sources.
Follow
these safety precautions:
Never
burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or
tent.
Never
use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside
a home, garage, vehicle or tent.
Never
leave a car running in an attached garage, even
with the garage door open.
Never
service fuel-burning appliances without proper
knowledge, skills and tools. Always refer to the
owner's manual when performing minor adjustments
or servicing fuel-burning appliances.
Never
use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes
dryers for heating your home.
Never
operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any
room with closed doors or windows or in any room
where people are sleeping.
Do
not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors.
If use is unavoidable, ensure that adequate ventilation
is available and whenever possible place engine
unit to exhaust outdoors.
Contact A Personal
Injury Attorney
Persons who have suffered brain damage, or the families of loved ones who have died from exposure to carbon monoxide due to a defective product or the negligence of another are welcome to contact Lieff Cabraser.
Please note that we wish to
and can only help those already diagnosed with major carbon monoxide-related
injuries (or the families of victims killed by carbon monoxide). Those without
major CO2 related injuries may wish to visit the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission, the Medline
Plus section on carbon monoxide,
or the Health and Safety
Executive pages on domestic gas health and safety.
We
will review your claim for free and without any obligation on your part.
About Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, is one of the largest law firms in
the nation that represents only plaintiffs. We have a team of personal injury
lawyers, assisted by multiple nurses, scientific advisors and medical experts,
dedicated to advancing our clients' interests, including clients who have
been injured due to defective products.
"Carbon monoxide kills one, injures several in SF apartment building"
January 13, 2009, San Francisco Chronicle
A carbon monoxide leak in a San Francisco apartment building killed a 77-year-old man and injured eight other people Monday night, even though an alarm meant to detect the dangerous gas had been beeping since Sunday. More...
Lieff
Cabraser has participated in over forty-two $100
million-plus settlements and verdicts. To read
a summary, click
here.
