The Health Department's Healthy Homes Rental Inspection Program has a limited supply of carbon monoxide detectors for Kansas City residents.

Carbon monoxide (CO)is a colorless, odorless gas which at high levels can cause serious illness and death. CO alarms are designed to warn you of any unusual build-up of CO in your home.

CO alarms should be considered a back-up but not a replacement for proper installation, use, and maintenance of fuel-burning appliances.

Carbon monoxide leaks often come from:

• Furnaces
• Stoves
• Fireplaces
• Clothes dryers
• Water heaters
• Space heaters 
• or idling cars in garages

To reserve a CO detector, email Healthy.homes@kcmo.org or call 816-513-6464. Please await confirmation to be certain we have one ready for you. Once confirmed, you may pick it up at the Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave. Suite 3600.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be similar to flu like symptoms including:

• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness
• Vomiting

Exposure to CO gas over time or to elevated levels of CO can even lead to brain damage or death.

What Should You Do If Your CO Alarm Goes Off?

Immediately evacuate the building to fresh air and safety.

If there is anyone experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms like headaches, dizziness and vomiting, call 9-1-1 once you are safely outside.

Do not return into the building until it has been cleared by first responders.

Even if your alarm stops alerting, and you’ve switched off all the appliances and opened the windows and doors, there could still be poisonous gas.

Carbon monoxide alarms can go off for reasons other than an emergency, but it is essential that you not ignore the alarm and evaluate whether you are in danger.

Here are some other reasons your alarm may sound:

• The detector has a low battery and they need to be replaced.
  
• The detector has reached its end-of-life and the alarm itself needs to be replaced.

Please change the battery regularly.