Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Wilmington City Code Sec. 34-232.1 requires that all residential buildings must be equipped with approved carbon monoxide alarms.

Is your home protected from carbon monoxide? Don't take a chance. The following information, courtesy of the Wilmington Fire Department, will help you to better understand how carbon monoxide can impact your life and the lives of your family.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and toxic gas, and is often referred to as the "silent killer". When inhaled, it inhibits the blood's capacity to transport oxygen throughout the body. It can poison the body quickly in high concentrations, or slowly over long periods of time.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

Exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can cause flue-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness. In severe cases, CO poisoning can cause brain damage and death. The elderly, children and people with heart or respiratory conditions may be particularly sensitive to CO.

How is carbon monoxide generated in the home?

Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete combustion of fuel such as natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood. This incomplete combustion can occur in any device that depends on burning for energy or heat, such as furnaces, room heaters, fire places, hot water heaters, stoves or grills and any gas-powered vehicle or engine. Automobiles left running in attached garages, gas barbecues operated inside the house, grills or kerosene heaters that are not properly vented, or chimneys or vents that are dirty or plugged may create unsafe levels of CO.

More Information About Carbon Monoxide

Visit the following websites courtesy of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for more information about carbon monoxide.

An Introduction to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ): Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Protect Your Family and Yourself from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning


Contact the Wilmington Fire Department

Mailing Address

Wilmington Fire Department
Emergency Operations Center
22 S. Heald Street
Wilmington DE 19801

Phone: (302) 576-3950

Fax: (302) 571-4039

Smoke Detector Program: (302) 571-4361


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