To avoid poisoning by carbon monoxide make sure that all the fuel burning equipment in the home has sufficient venting. All of these appliances should be vented to the exterior of the home. Have your boiler or furnace cleaned and serviced every year to keep them in good working order. Do not operate a gas or charcoal grill in an enclosed area. Emergency generators should not be operated inside any building.
Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home. At a minimum install them in the main bedroom hallway of the home. You want to hear them if you are sleeping.
Carbon monoxide poisoning often mimics the common flu. Headaches are a very common complaint as well as difficulty breathing. In higher exposures to the poison gas nausea and dizziness occur. When carbon monoxide levels increase impaired judgment and confusion are common. High levels of the poison gas can cause death.