How do you know if carbon monoxide is in your house?

Author: Prof. Dorcas Morissette MD  |  Last update: Saturday, September 20, 2025

Signs of a carbon monoxide leak in your house or home Sooty or brownish-yellow stains around the leaking appliance. Stale, stuffy, or smelly air, like the smell of something burning or overheating. Soot, smoke, fumes, or back-draft in the house from a chimney, fireplace, or other fuel burning equipment.

How do you tell if you have carbon monoxide in your house?

It is also a good idea to know the signs of a potential CO problem:
  • Streaks of soot around fuel-burning appliances, or fallen soot in a fireplace.
  • Absence of an upward draft in your chimney.
  • Excess moisture and condensation on windows, walls and cold surfaces.
  • Rusting on flue pipes or appliance jacks.

Will opening windows get rid of carbon monoxide?

The easiest way to remove Carbon Monoxide from your house is to open up windows and doors to allow fresh air in and allow the CO to dissipate. If you have some fans (box fans, oscillating fans, etc.), use them to blow fresh air in and CO out.

How can I detect carbon monoxide without a detector?

Signs of carbon monoxide:
  1. Stuffy or stale air.
  2. A pilot light keeps going out.
  3. More condensation than usual on your windows.
  4. Soot build up around a fireplace, chimney, or other fuel-burning equipment.
  5. Fuel-burning equipment has a back-draft (flame flares up when a window or door opens and adds air).

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning treatment?

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, seizures, chest pain, disorientation, and loss of consciousness. CO poisoning needs to be treated right away by getting outside to fresh air and calling 911.

How to know signs of carbon monoxide poisoning - and stay safe

How long after carbon monoxide exposure do you get sick?

1,600 ppm: Within 20 minutes after carbon monoxide exposure, you may feel a severe headache or migraine, increased nausea and feelings of dizziness. Potential death within one hour. 3,200 ppm: After only 5 to 10 minutes, headache, nausea, and dizziness may occur.

How to detect carbon monoxide with iPhone?

Go to the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. , then tap Home Settings. Tap Safety & Security. Tap Sound Recognition, then turn on Smoke & CO Alarm.

Is there a way to test for carbon monoxide at home?

Here are the best ways to conduct a carbon monoxide test.
  1. Electronic Carbon Monoxide Detector. This type of CO detector can be hard-wired to your electrical system like a smoke alarm. ...
  2. Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Detector. ...
  3. Portable Carbon Monoxide Meter. ...
  4. Professional Carbon Monoxide Air Test. ...
  5. Litmus Paper.

How to tell if CO2 is leaking?

A very good tool for leak detection is the use of leak detector spray, available in any well-stocked hardware store. The spray consists of a very fine foam, which is applied to possible leaky spots. If a notable amount of bubbles forms, you have found the leak.

Should I call 911 if my carbon monoxide alarm goes off?

My carbon monoxide alarm is sounding. What should I do? Call 911 and report what is happening. Immediately leave your residence and wait for the fire department to arrive.

What in a house would give off carbon monoxide?

What can give off carbon monoxide in a house? Common sources of carbon monoxide (CO) in a house include fuel-burning appliances such as stoves, water heaters, and fireplaces. Wood-burning stoves, gas dryers, and charcoal grills used indoors can also emit CO.

How to check for CO2 in house?

In order to measure CO2 levels in your home, you will need a carbon dioxide monitor or tester. With a CO2 tester you can easily and affordably measure carbon dioxide levels in your home. These devices come in several different types including handheld, desktop, or wall-mounted units.

Does air conditioning remove carbon monoxide?

While air conditioners can't create carbon monoxide (like gas-powered furnaces or boilers can), they can help circulate it throughout your home if you already have a carbon monoxide leak.

What appliances give off carbon monoxide?

CO is primarily produced by the improper operation or ventilation of appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, ovens, fireplaces, fuel space heaters, generators, and charcoal grills that are fueled by oil, propane, natural gas, wood, kerosene, gasoline, and diesel.

Can my phone detect carbon monoxide?

Co Checker is a free Android app developed by Meter App, falling under the category of Utilities & Tools. It is a simple and handy tool that helps detect the presence of carbon monoxide in the air.

How long does it take for carbon monoxide to build up in a house?

Small carbon monoxide leaks can fill every room in your house with poisonous gas within eight hours. Severe leaks can cause this problem in just five minutes. The EPA states that exposure to concentrations of nine ppm or more for eight hours is enough to produce harmful health effects for at-risk individuals.

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.

Does the fire department charge to check for carbon monoxide?

In most areas, the fire department does not charge to respond to carbon monoxide alarms or to check for the presence of CO in a residence. However, policies can vary depending on the jurisdiction or specific fire department. It's always a good idea to contact your local fire department for specifics on their policies.

How to tell if there is carbon monoxide without a detector?

Signs of a carbon monoxide leak in your house or home

Sooty or brownish-yellow stains around the leaking appliance. Stale, stuffy, or smelly air, like the smell of something burning or overheating. Soot, smoke, fumes, or back-draft in the house from a chimney, fireplace, or other fuel burning equipment.

Will opening a window help with carbon monoxide?

If you experience symptoms that you think could be from CO poisoning: DO GET FRESH AIR IMMEDIATELY. Open doors and windows, turn off combustion appliances and leave the house.

How do I know if my house is full of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and tasteless. Inspection helps protect yourself and your family. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your house, and plan to check its battery every time you check your smoke detector batteries.

Can Apple iPhone detect carbon monoxide?

With Sound Recognition, HomePod can detect the sound of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm in your home, and alerts you by sending a notification to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch. Tap the notification to check in and make sure everything is all right.

What is the easiest way to detect carbon monoxide?

While CO is entirely odorless, you can still detect it within your home. One straightforward solution is to get carbon monoxide detectors, which resemble smoke detectors and easily install anywhere around your home.

Is there an app that can detect carbon monoxide in your house?

Nest Protect will sound an alarm and send a message to the app when it detects that carbon monoxide (CO) levels have reached an emergency level. It is important that you always respond to a CO emergency by evacuating the house and calling emergency services.

Can dogs detect carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, commonly known as CO, is an odorless, colorless, and non-irritating gas. No pet can identify the gas because CO lacks any scent whatsoever. Exposure can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning in both humans and pets.

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