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6 Steps: What to Do If Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm is Going off?

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If your carbon monoxide alarm is going off, it is absolutely a sound to be concerned about and not something to ignore. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be deadly with prolonged exposure. Unlike smoke, it won’t trigger your senses, which makes alarms essential for early detection. Whether it’s a sudden alarm in the middle of the night or while using gas appliances, knowing what to do in those critical moments can save lives. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the exact steps to take if your carbon monoxide alarm is going off, how to recognize the symptoms of CO poisoning, and what precautions you can implement to prevent future risks. Staying calm and acting fast is key—and Palo Alto Plumbing, Heating, and Air is here to help ensure your home stays safe and secure.

 

Step 1:Get Outside Immediately

The very first thing you need to do when your carbon monoxide alarm is going off is to get everyone, including pets, out of the house as quickly as possible. Carbon monoxide can build up in enclosed spaces without any warning signs, and staying inside—even for a short time—can be dangerous.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Stay calm but act quickly to avoid panic.
  2. Don’t stop to gather personal belongings—your priority is to get out safely.
  3. If other people are inside, alert them immediately and make sure everyone exits through the nearest door or window.
  4. Take pets with you if possible, as they can also be affected by carbon monoxide poisoning.
  5. Do not re-enter the building, even if you think the alarm might be false, until it’s confirmed safe by emergency responders.

Once outside, move to an open-air location away from the building to reduce the risk of further exposure. Even if you feel fine at first, carbon monoxide poisoning can cause delayed symptoms, so it’s crucial to take this step seriously and act fast.

 

Step 2: Call Emergency Services

Once outside, call 911 or your local fire department immediately to let them know your carbon monoxide alarm is going off. This is essential, even if no one is showing symptoms, because:

  • Emergency responders are equipped to detect CO levels and identify potential sources of the leak.
  • They can advise whether the home is safe to re-enter or if further evacuation is necessary.

If anyone in your household shows symptoms of CO poisoning (such as dizziness, confusion, nausea, or chest pain), inform the dispatcher so they can prioritize medical help.

Avoid Non-Emergency Calls Initially

  • Do not call a plumber or HVAC technician before the emergency is addressed—first responders need to ensure the area is safe.
  • After the situation is under control, you can contact Palo Alto Plumbing, Heating, and Air for repairs and maintenance of any faulty appliances.

This two-step process ensures that you handle the alarm swiftly and safely, reducing the risk of serious health issues while protecting your home.

 

Step 3: Don’t Re-enter Until It’s Safe

After evacuating and contacting emergency services, do not re-enter the building until first responders declare it safe. Even if the alarm turns off or you suspect it was a false alarm, it’s essential to wait for professional confirmation to ensure there is no lingering carbon monoxide in the home.

Here’s why staying out matters:

  • Carbon monoxide can accumulate without warning, and even brief exposure can cause health issues.
  • CO levels might drop temporarily, but faulty appliances could cause levels to spike again.
  • Emergency responders will use specialized tools to accurately measure CO levels and inspect potential sources of the leak.

What to Expect from First Responders

  • They will check appliances (like furnaces, water heaters, and stoves) to see if they are the source of the CO leak.
  • If elevated CO levels are found, they may instruct you to stay out of the building until the issue is resolved.
  • If no leak is found, they may advise you to replace or test your alarm to ensure it’s functioning correctly.

Temporary Shelter if Needed

  • If the CO levels are too high to re-enter the home immediately, you may need to find a temporary place to stay.
  • Hotels, a neighbor’s home, or family members are good options while professionals inspect or repair appliances.

By waiting for the all-clear from emergency responders, you ensure that you, your family, and your pets are safe from further CO exposure. After it’s safe to return, the next step is identifying and fixing the source of the problem to prevent future incidents.

 

Step 4: Check for Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Even if you don’t feel unwell initially, it’s essential to monitor everyone for symptoms after your carbon monoxide alarm is going off. The effects of CO poisoning can be delayed or subtle, and symptoms may worsen over time with continued exposure. Acting quickly can prevent serious complications.

Common Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

  • Mild symptoms:
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Dizziness
    • Fatigue or weakness
    • Shortness of breath
  • Severe symptoms:
    • Confusion or difficulty concentrating
    • Chest pain
    • Blurred vision
    • Loss of consciousness

What to Do If You Notice Symptoms

  1. Seek medical help immediately for anyone showing signs of CO poisoning. Even mild symptoms should be treated seriously.
  2. Inform the medical professionals that CO exposure is suspected so they can administer oxygen therapy or other treatments.
  3. Keep everyone out of the building until you get confirmation from emergency responders that it’s safe to return.

Watch for Symptoms in Pets

  • Pets are often affected by CO before humans because of their smaller size.
  • Look out for lethargy, vomiting, or uncoordinated movement in pets. If they seem off, bring them to a vet and mention possible CO exposure.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can escalate quickly, so it’s crucial to stay vigilant even if the symptoms seem minor. If someone in your household is affected, prompt treatment can prevent life-threatening complications.

 

Step 5: Ventilate Your Home and Fix the Source of the Leak

After emergency responders confirm it’s safe to enter your home, the next step is to ventilate the space and identify the source of the carbon monoxide leak. Proper ventilation clears out any lingering CO, and finding the leak ensures your home stays safe moving forward.

How to Ventilate Your Home

  1. Open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate.
  2. Use fans or exhaust vents to push stale air out.
  3. Keep gas appliances turned off until they’ve been inspected.

Find and Fix the Source of the Leak

Carbon monoxide leaks often come from appliances or blocked vents. Here are common sources to check:

  • Furnaces, water heaters, and gas stoves – Malfunctions or poor ventilation can cause leaks.
  • Fireplaces or wood stoves – Clogged chimneys or flues can lead to CO buildup.
  • Portable generators and space heaters – Running these indoors or in enclosed spaces can create CO hazards.

Next Steps

  1. Hire a licensed professional—like Palo Alto Plumbing, Heating, and Air—to inspect and repair faulty systems.
  2. Clean vents and chimneys to ensure proper airflow.
  3. Repair or replace appliances found to be leaking carbon monoxide.

By ventilating your home and addressing the root cause of the leak, you reduce the risk of future alarms and keep your household safe. In the final step, we’ll look at how to maintain and test your carbon monoxide detectors to prevent future emergencies.

 

Step 6: Check, Test, and Replace Your Carbon Monoxide Alarm

After addressing the immediate danger and fixing the source of the leak, it’s essential to check and test your carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they are working properly. Start by pressing the test button on each alarm to confirm it sounds correctly. If the alarm is battery-operated, replace the batteries at least once a year or whenever the low-battery warning beeps. Even hardwired alarms need routine checks to ensure they function during power outages.

Keep in mind that carbon monoxide alarms typically have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years—check the expiration date on the unit and replace it if it’s nearing the end of its life. Installing alarms on every floor of your home and near bedrooms offers maximum protection. Regular testing and timely replacement are key to ensuring your alarms remain reliable when you need them most.

 

Stay Safe with Quick Action and Preventive Measures

When your carbon monoxide alarm is going off, acting quickly can save lives. By following the steps to evacuate immediately, call emergency services, ventilate your home, and identify the source of the leak, you protect yourself and your loved ones from this silent danger. Regularly checking, testing, and replacing your carbon monoxide alarms ensures that your safety systems are always ready to alert you when needed.

If you suspect faulty appliances or need an inspection, Palo Alto Plumbing, Heating, and Air is here to help. Our licensed professionals can quickly identify and fix CO issues, giving you peace of mind. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and ensure your home is safe and secure year-round.

 

Carbon Monoxide: What You Don’t Know is Putting Your Family at Risk

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“It started as a nagging headache,” Diane said. “And then it became worse before turning into a horror show.”

It was around 9 pm on a cold December night and both of them were sitting in front of their fireplace, decompressing from the hard day’s work. The baby June was in her crib. Suddenly, Liam, Diane’s husband, became sick – headache, vomiting, the works. That made Diane concerned for her husband’s health but she chalked it up to the bug that was going around the neighborhood. “Must be the flu.”

Two hours later, Diane felt her heart thudding in her chest, wanting to come out. She became nauseous and lightheaded, and her whole body went cold. She panicked and rushed to “Google” the symptoms – finding it just might be Carbon Monoxide poisoning. She called 911 after finding out that they were indeed being poisoned by the stealthiest killer: Carbon Monoxide.

Her family was saved thanks to Diane’s quick reaction and pure timing but, everyone is not so lucky.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

CO is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas. That means between 1999 to 2010 most of the 5,149 Americans that ended up in graves because of non-fire-related Carbon Monoxide poisoning had no idea what hit them. No bad odor, no horrible taste, nothing – except for the untimely death.

Although, like all accidents you can minimize the chances of dying from CO, most people avoid taking the right precautionary measures until it happens to them. When, unfortunately, it is already too late. And the damage is done.

CO is produced any time you burn fossil fuels like in cars, trucks, fireplaces, and good old furnaces. Everyone is at risk regardless of gender or age, but children and elderly and those with preexisting diseases of heart or lungs are at higher risk of developing complications such as permanent brain damage, life-threatening heart complications, and death.

How Does Carbon Monoxide Affect Our Health?

Once inhaled, it goes into the blood stream and displaces oxygen from hemoglobin, that results in a deficiency of oxygen which leads to hypoxia and eventually death.
The symptoms of CO are non-specific and often don’t tell anything by themselves. Most common symptoms include altered mental status, headache, nausea, weakness and chest pain.

Fortunately, science has made it really easy to prevent against CO exposure. Take steps to prevent accidental exposure to Carbon Monoxide. Because it is real. And it kills.

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Here are just a few ways that you can avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

1. Install and maintain a CO detector: This is the single most important thing you can do to protect your family against the possibility of Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Make sure to buy a battery operated detector with a loud enough alarm to wake you up. But that’s not all, replace the battery every year and change the detector once every 5 years.

2. Don’t use portable gas camp stoves indoors. Small appliances like these also contribute to the buildup of Carbon Monoxide and when indoors, the harmful gasses can’t escape and your family can’t escape from them. Get rid of them folks.

3. Get your gas appliances checked by an expert. Make sure that they are working correctly and all the stuff that is supposed to be inside is staying inside and not spilling out to kill you when you’re asleep.

4. Never ignore any unusual odor coming from your refrigerator. CO itself has no odor, but in this case, other gasses mixed with CO have a particular odor that might give it away.

5. Clean your chimney. Debris can clog up your chimney real bad. So, now all the gasses would accumulate inside your living room instead of escaping through the chimney. Get your chimney cleaned before it cleans you.

6. Be smart. Don’t burn charcoal indoors, use generators inside of your home or basement, or patch a vent pipe with chewing gum. We’ve seen it all and it’s always dangerous.

One last thing, if you ever suspect that you or a family member has been exposed to Carbon Monoxide, immediately evacuate the house and call 911. Learn more about how to maintain healthy air quality in your home and to have your HVAC system checked for safety, and contact us to schedule an inspection with us today!