Choose Your Province/State of Service

In order to serve you better, please select your Enbridge Gas location services.

Choose Your Province/State of Service

We noticed you are visiting from Utah, would you like to visit our Utah site?

Continue to Utah's site

Or please select your province/state of your choice so we can display the correct content for your location?

Choose Your Province/State of Service

In order to serve you better, please select your Enbridge Gas location services.

is currently
selected

Go to this state's site Stay on this state's site

Choose Your Province/State of Service

We noticed you are visiting from Utah, would you like to visit our Utah site?

is currently
selected

What is carbon monoxide (CO)?

Natural gas is safe and reliable. But if any fuel-burning equipment isn’t working properly, including your furnace, water heater or fireplace (or a blocked vent or chimney), it can release CO, a poisonous gas that can be deadly.

CO is often called the ‘silent killer’ because you can't see or smell it. Read the tips below to learn how to keep you and your loved ones safe.

3 steps to stay safe

Protect your home with these simple actions.

1. Inspection and maintenance

Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a licensed contractor each year.

Remember: Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment (generators, patio heaters, barbecues) inside your home or garage.

2. Install carbon monoxide alarms

It’s the law! Install a CO alarm near all sleeping areas. For added protection, install a CO alarm on each level of your home.

  • Test your CO alarms monthly.
  • Change batteries twice a year.
  • Check the expiration date.

3. Clear outdoor vents

Check that exhaust vents from all natural gas appliances are not blocked. Have a chimney checkup each year.

Know the symptoms

CO poisoning symptoms are similar to those of the flu (without the fever). To stay safe, install CO alarms according to the law. Test CO alarms monthly and change the batteries and check the expiration date of CO alarms twice a year.

Depending on the amount of CO inhaled and the length of exposure, symptoms may include:

Low concentration

  • Slight headache
  • Shortage of breath during moderate physical activity

Higher concentration

  • Severe headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Mental confusion
  • Weakness
  • Vision/hearing impairment
  • Collapse or fainting
  • Loss of muscle control, drowsiness

Extreme concentration

  • Unconsciousness
  • Brain damage
  • Death

If you suspect a CO problem, go outside immediately and get into fresh air. Call 911 and seek medical attention. Do not re-enter the home until it is determined safe by a qualified professional, such as a firefighter.

Know what to do

If your CO alarm sounds and someone is experiencing medical symptoms:

  • Go outside immediately and get into fresh air.
  • Call 911 from a safe distance and seek medical attention.
  • Call a licensed heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this service).

If your CO alarm sounds and there are no medical symptoms:

  • Open all doors and windows.
  • Call a licensed heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this service).

Frequently asked questions

CO is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can be deadly.

Any fuel-burning appliance that isn’t working or installed properly can release CO: furnaces, stoves, grills, fireplaces or vehicles. CO can build up indoors and poison people and pets who breathe it. CO can also be produced from the exhaust of cars, lawnmowers, snowblowers or anything that burns oil, gas, wood or coal.

The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (without the fever): headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and weakness. If you breathe in a high concentration of CO, it can be deadly.

If your CO alarm sounds and there are no medical symptoms, open all doors and windows. Call a licensed heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this service).

If your CO alarm sounds and someone is experiencing medical symptoms, go outside immediately and get into fresh air. Call 911 from a safe distance and seek medical attention. Call a heating contractor for an inspection (there will be a charge for this service).

  1. Install CO alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions. Test your CO alarms monthly and change the batteries twice a year. Also, check the expiration date on the CO alarm.
  2. Have all of your fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a licensed contactor.
  3. Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment (generators, patio heaters, barbecues) inside your home or garage.
  4. Check that the vents from all natural gas appliances are unobstructed; clear appliance intake and exhaust vents after every storm; conduct regular checkups to ensure that your chimney and other natural gas appliance vents are not blocked, remain in good condition and function properly.
  5. Never run your vehicle inside an attached garage, even with the garage door open.

Carbon monoxide and natural gas are not the same thing. Carbon monoxide detectors will not detect natural gas leaks. Natural gas contains and odorant that makes it smell like rotten eggs, even in very small concentrations. If you smell rotten eggs, there could be a leak in your natural gas piping. Open all doors and windows, do no use electrical equipment, extinguish all open flames/heat sources, and leave the building. Call Enbridge Gas Ohio immediately at 1-877-542-2630.

A CO alarm detects carbon monoxide, a smoke alarm detects smoke. Both are required by law to protect your home and family. Some manufacturers do offer combined smoke and CO alarms in one device.