Gas Fumes in the Garage

Carbon Monoxide

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that, “every year more than 400 people die in the U.S. from accidental CO poisoning.” Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that is generated from the combustion fumes from small engines. In the garage, the most common culprits are automobiles or generators.

  Never leave your car running while the garage door is closed, even if you are not in the garage. Fumes can build up and overwhelm you when you open the door. In some cases, people have become sick or died because they have started their cars in the garage and left the connecting door between the home and garage open, allowing CO fumes to enter the house.

  Do not use a generator inside a garage. The Consumer Product Safety Commission cautions, “When used in a confined space, generators can produce high levels of CO within minutes.”

Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Because you can’t smell or taste carbon monoxide in the air, the first sign of exposure is illness. Headache, nausea, dizziness and confusion may be followed by sleepiness, chest pain and shortness of breath. If you exhibit any of these signs while in the garage, get out quickly and seek immediate medical attention.

Gasoline Fumes in the Garage

• If gasoline is spilled in the garage, hazardous fumes may be present and can be hazardous to your health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes, “nervous system effects include dizziness and headaches, while more serious effects include coma and the inability to breathe.” Inhalation of large amounts of gasoline fumes can cause death.

  You can also be exposed to gasoline fumes when using a gas can manufactured before 2009. Gas fumes are present when you dispense the gasoline, but they can also escape through improperly capped spouts or through vent holes. As of 2009, gas cans are required to meet emissions standards that took effect in January 2009. If you have an older gas can, replace it with a new one to minimize gasoline fumes in your garage.

Tools and Gas Fumes

• Any tool with a gasoline engine should not be operated in the garage; carbon monoxide fumes will quickly build up. Lawnmowers, trimmers and leaf blowers should be started outside — never while still in the garage. If you are repairing one of these tools, take it outdoors to test it to avoid fumes.