As people start to use their air-conditioners and grills this summer, they should be aware of the possible risk of carbon dioxide poisoning associated with malfunctioning or misplaced appliances. As the summer season gets underway, people start to turn on their air conditioners to cool off and haul out their outdoor stoves and grills.
Carbon monoxide is released when fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, wood and coal burn.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can quickly kill those who inhale it. Authorities say the family had separate heating and cooling units in their house and that someone turned the air conditioning on without turning the heater off. The deadly gas was then distributed throughout the house as cooled air. Greiner says that those who have dual-functioning furnaces are at less risk. Nevertheless, Greiner emphasizes the importance of proper installation and maintenance of any fuel-burning household appliances, including fireplaces, portable heaters, kitchen stoves and gas clothes dryers.