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Protecting Yourself from the CO Coming Out of the Vehicle ExhaustDuring the cold, winter months, experts advise that it is not a good idea to warm up the car inside the garage. This is because in as short as two minutes, gas fumes can build up to a lethal level. After all, the garage is enclosed and the harmful gas (carbon monoxide or CO) can fill it quickly and could even seep into the house. Carbon monoxide is produced by a vehicle's exhaust. It is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and a non-irritating by-product of incomplete combustion. When a car's cold engines first start, a large amount of this gas is produced. Since the converter is cold, it cannot transform the deadly gas into harmless carbon dioxide. Thus, concentrations can reach up to 80,000 parts per million, enough to fill the garage with poisonous air, even with the door pulled up. In order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, it is advised never to run the engine inside a garage, even with the door opened. Car engines should also be regularly maintained, cleaned, and tuned up to ensure that they run smoothly at all times. Check for exhaust leaks as well and have them repaired as soon as possible. When starting a car, make sure that all passengers are already inside the vehicle and ready to leave. Also, make sure the garage door is open before you start your ride. Once everyone is ready to go, start the car and back out of the garage immediately. Shut the garage door and proceed right away to your destination. One precautionary measure you can also do is to install a carbon monoxide detector in the garage and in your home. This would warn you if CO levels get dangerously high. Related Articles: |
