Learn About Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Early Warnings

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can build up in your home without warning. It's highly toxic and cancause serious health problems.

Warning Signs of CO Exposure:

• Headache, dizziness, fatigue, or nausea especially after turning on a fuel-burning appliance
• Symptoms that appear in one area and go away when you leave
• Multiple people or pets showing similar symptoms
• Symptoms that improve when outdoors
• No fever or body aches (unlike flu)

Understanding CO Alerts:

• 0-29 PPM: No notification
• 30-50 PPM: Low-level CO - Notification only - Early warning
• 50+ PPM: CO Alarm - Siren will sound - Immediate action required

Who's Most at Risk?

• Elderly and young children
• People with lung or heart conditions
• People with anemia or weakened immune systems
• Pregnant women
• Smokers
• Pets (they show symptoms first)

Things to Try:

For Low-Level Alerts (30-50 PPM):

• Open windows and doors
• Turn off potential CO sources
• Check on family members
• Consider temporary evacuation
• Schedule professional inspection

For High-Level Alerts (50+ PPM):

• Leave Property Immediately
• Contact your Local Fire Department
• Call 911 if anyone shows symptoms
• Help is automatically requested for as part of Ring's 24/7 Smoke & CO Professional Monitoring

Common Sources to Check:

• Gas appliances (furnaces, water heaters, stoves)
• Fireplaces and wood stoves
• Vehicle exhaust in attached garages
• Portable generators
• Grills and camp stoves used indoors

How to Prevent CO Issues:

Install and Maintain CO Alarms Properly

Annual inspection of all fuel-burning appliances

• Have furnaces checked before heating season
• Ensure proper ventilation of all appliances
• Check that flames on gas appliances are blue (not yellow/orange)
• Have chimneys and vents professionally cleaned

Practice Safe Operation

• Never run vehicles in attached garages
• Keep generator use strictly outdoors (at least 20 feet from windows/doors)
• Never use outdoor cooking equipment indoors (grills, camp stoves)
• Clear all vents after snowstorms
• Don't use gas ovens for heating

Note: With Ring's 24/7 Professional Monitoring, help is automatically requested when high-level CO is detected.