Research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals that carbon monoxide poisoning remains a far too common cause of illness and death. And most cases of carbon monoxide poisoning occur in the home. However, you can be easily alerted to potential problems with an inexpensive CO sensor.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. Exposure can lead to headaches, nausea, and even death. Carbon monoxide is dangerous because it binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing them from carrying oxygen. Approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. suffer from carbon monoxide exposure each year and roughly 480 people die annually from the toxic gas. Furnaces, gas heaters, generators, and cars are just some of the objects that emit carbon monoxide. A study reported that as much as 64 percent of nonfatal carbon monoxide exposures occur in the home. Keep safe by installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home and testing it regularly.