?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.
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Anyone can get sick from carbon monoxide.
Some people can get sicker than others. These people are:
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.
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.
Do not use items with petrol engines inside your home or garage, even with doors or windows open.
Some items that can have petrol engines are:
If you use a gas heater in your home:
If you decide to put a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, you should:
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:
Breathing in larger amounts of the gas can cause:
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:
Check out these websites to learn more about safe ways to heat your house:
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