Carbon monoxide safety

Find information and tips about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you think you or a loved one has been affected by carbon monoxide, you should immediately go outside, then go to the nearest hospital or call 911.

Overview

New Brunswickers are reminded of the threat that carbon monoxide can pose in their homes. People have died and/or been hospitalized in recent years from carbon monoxide poisoning because:

  • it has no smell, taste, or colour
  • only a carbon monoxide detector properly installed in your house will tell you if there is carbon monoxide

Prevention at home

  • Never run a generator in your home, garage, or near a window or air intake outside of your house. Never run a generator in your home, garage, or near a window or air intake outside of your house.  Visit NB Power's generator safety page for more information.
  • Never BBQ, use a camping stove, or a propane heater inside of your house or garage
  • There is no safe way to run a generator or cook with a camping stove in your home or garage
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning can still occur if you have opened your window or garage door
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home; it's the best way to stay protected

Risk during sleep

Carbon monoxide poses a particular threat to people who are sleeping. They might die before anyone is even aware there is a problem. In cases where it is not fatal, carbon monoxide poisoning can have serious long-term effects on memory, brain function, behaviour, and cognition.

Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning

There are several signs that indicate someone may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning: 

  • dull headache
  • weakness
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • shortness of breath
  • confusion
  • blurred vision
  • loss of consciousness