Carbon Monoxide safety

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas. Breathing it in can make you sick or even kill you. It's hard to know if carbon monoxide is there - you can't see, smell or hear it.

Where is carbon monoxide found?

Carbon monoxide is made by burning fuels like natural gas, petrol, wood, charcoal and coal. Many household items burn these fuels and make carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide can get trapped inside your home, particularly when the doors and windows are closed. This can make carbon monoxide build up to dangerous levels.

Who can get sick from carbon monoxide?

Anyone can get sick from carbon monoxide. Babies, pregnant women, elderly and people with some long-term illnesses are more susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

How do I know if someone is sick from carbon monoxide?

It is helpful to know the signs of illness from carbon monoxide. The more carbon monoxide you breathe in, the worse the signs of illness are. 

Breathing in smaller amounts of the gas can cause: 

  • headaches 
  • nausea 
  • vomiting 
  • feeling weak.

Breathing in larger amounts of the gas can cause: 

  • feeling dizzy 
  • feeling faint 
  • loss of consciousness 
  • long-term brain injury and death

What can I do if I think someone is sick from carbon monoxide?

If someone is dizzy or fainting or has lost consciousness, this is an emergency. Call Triple Zero (000).

If someone has headaches, nausea or vomiting or feels weak: 

  • get everyone out of the house into the fresh air
  • call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 for advice at any time

How do I keep my family and myself safe?

Barbeques, grills and outdoor heaters

Do not bring barbeques, grills or outdoor gas heaters into your home. They are for outdoor use only. These items burn fuels like natural gas, wood, and charcoal (beads or briquettes).  If you use these items inside, carbon monoxide can quickly build up to dangerous levels. Check an item’s instructions to see if you should use it inside or outside.

Petrol engines

Do not use items with petrol engines (eg cars, boats, pressure washers, concrete saws and generators) inside your home or garage, even with doors or windows open. 

Gas heaters

If you use a gas heater in your home:

  • check the instructions to make sure that you can use the heater inside the house
  • make sure that a registered gas fitter checks the heater at least every two years
  • think about putting in a carbon monoxide alarm to warn you if levels begin to rise. A carbon monoxide alarm is different to a smoke alarm. 

How do I put in a carbon monoxide alarm?

If you decide to put a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, you should:

  • choose a carbon monoxide alarm that says it meets standards in the USA (UL2034) or Europe (EN50291)
  • put carbon monoxide alarms near all the bedrooms and rooms with gas heaters in your home
  • follow the instructions for installing, maintaining and using the carbon monoxide alarm.

Find out more about carbon monoxide safety.

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