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Install CO alarms and control fuel-burning appliances

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odourless gas from stoves, heaters, generators and engines. Off-grid homes use many fuel-burning devices, so CO protection is essential.

How

1. Fit battery or battery-backup CO alarms near every sleeping area, as CDC advises, and follow the maker's guidance for height and distance from appliances.
2. Replace CO alarms as the maker says, or about every 5 years per CDC.
3. Have heating systems, water heaters and other gas, oil or coal appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
4. Run generators outdoors only, more than 20 ft (about 6 m) from windows, doors and vents. CDC warns never to run one in a home or garage, even with doors open.
5. Never use a gas oven, charcoal grill or camp stove to heat the house.
6. Learn the symptoms: headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, chest pain and confusion, often mistaken for flu. If alarms sound or people feel ill, get everyone into fresh air and call for help.

Safety: Sleeping or drunk people can die from CO before they notice symptoms, so alarms matter most at night.

Do these first

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Sources

1. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed 2026-11
2. Avoiding Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed 2026-11

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