It is that time of the year where everyone is using their heating units, fireplaces, and your houses are fully closed up. This is the time of the year we need to pay close attention to our carbon monoxide alarms. If your alarm activates call 9-1-1 and vacate your residence. The Bergenfield Fire Department will respond to your home and take readings with specialized meters to ensure your home is safe.

What is Carbon Monoxide?
- Colorless, odorless, and poisonous gas.
- Produced by incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gas fuels.
- Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, oil, kerosene, coal, or wood can produce carbon monoxide
- Burning charcoal and running cars produce carbon monoxide

What are the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning?
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Shortness of Breath
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Flu like symptoms

CO Safety:
- Install a carbon monoxide detector
- Make sure your heating unit is serviced annually
- Make sure your fireplaces are cleaned annually
- Never burn charcoal inside home, garage, tent, or vehicle
- Never leave a car running inside a garage, even if the door is open
- 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 people are sleeping
- Do not use gasoline powered tools or engines indoors.

What should I do if my alarm activates or I think I may have CO poisoning?
- Call 9-1-1 and have fire department respond
- Vacate residence into fresh air
- Do not re-enter structure until the fire department says your home is safe to enter
- Report any of your symptoms so medical aid can be provided
- Don’t Hesitate   

  This Safety Message is being provided by the Bergenfield Fire Department and has been approved and released by Chief Ed Gomez.