CO & Gas Safety Checker
Check your ZIP code's carbon monoxide and gas distribution incident risk based on PHMSA federal data.
- Gas distribution risk score (0-100) based on county incident history
- Fatality and incident count from PHMSA federal pipeline data
- CO detector placement and gas safety recommendations from CPSC/NFPA
How This Tool Works
- Enter your ZIP code — we look up PHMSA gas distribution incident records for your county.
- Get your risk assessment — risk score (0-100), incident count, casualty data, and property damage totals.
- Review safety recommendations — CO detector guidance, gas leak signs, and emergency procedures based on CPSC and NFPA guidelines.
Understanding Gas Distribution Incidents
Gas distribution incidents involve failures in the local natural gas pipeline network — the pipes that carry gas from main lines to homes and businesses. These incidents can cause explosions, fires, carbon monoxide poisoning, and property damage.
| Risk Level | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Low | 0 - 20 | Few or no recorded incidents in your county. Standard CO detector placement recommended. |
| Moderate | 21 - 50 | Some incident history. Ensure CO detectors are installed and gas appliances are inspected annually. |
| High | 51 - 100 | Significant incident history including potential fatalities. Priority for CO detectors, annual gas inspections, and emergency planning. |
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas produced by burning fuel. It kills more than 400 Americans and hospitalizes 50,000+ every year (CDC). Common sources include gas furnaces, water heaters, stoves, and attached garages. The CPSC recommends CO detectors on every level of the home and near sleeping areas.
Gas Leak Warning Signs
- Smell: Natural gas has a distinctive rotten egg or sulfur odor (added by utilities as a safety measure)
- Sound: Hissing, whistling, or roaring near gas lines or appliances
- Sight: Dead or discolored vegetation near a pipeline, bubbles in standing water, dirt blowing from a hole in the ground
- Physical symptoms: Dizziness, nausea, headaches, or fatigue — leave the area immediately
Protect your home with a CO detector and schedule a gas appliance inspection.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue, which are often mistaken for the flu. At higher concentrations, CO poisoning causes confusion, blurred vision, loss of coordination, and loss of consciousness. The CDC reports that carbon monoxide poisoning kills more than 400 Americans each year and sends over 50,000 to the emergency room. If multiple household members feel sick simultaneously, suspect CO exposure and evacuate immediately.
Where should I place carbon monoxide detectors?
The CPSC recommends installing CO detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and near every sleeping area. Mount detectors at least 5 feet above floor level since CO mixes with air. Avoid placing them directly next to fuel-burning appliances, in direct sunlight, or in areas with high humidity. For maximum protection, also install a detector near an attached garage.
How often should CO detectors be replaced?
Most CO detectors have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years, after which the electrochemical sensor degrades and becomes unreliable. Check the manufacture date printed on the back of the unit. The CPSC recommends testing CO detectors monthly by pressing the test button and replacing batteries at least once a year if the unit is not hardwired.
What should I do if my CO detector goes off?
Immediately move all people and pets outside to fresh air and call 911. Do not re-enter the home until emergency responders have cleared it. Open windows if you can do so quickly on your way out. The fire department will use professional-grade CO monitors to identify the source. Common causes include malfunctioning furnaces, blocked flues, and running vehicles in attached garages.
Can natural gas leaks cause carbon monoxide?
Natural gas leaks themselves do not produce carbon monoxide, but they create explosion and fire hazards. However, incomplete combustion of natural gas in malfunctioning appliances (furnaces, water heaters, stoves) is a leading source of residential CO exposure. A gas leak combined with a faulty appliance can be especially dangerous. If you smell the rotten-egg odor of natural gas, leave immediately and call your gas utility's emergency line from outside.
Data Sources & Methodology
Data Sources
- PHMSA Gas Distribution Incident Reports — All U.S. gas distribution incidents (2004-present)
- CPSC Carbon Monoxide Safety — CO detector placement and safety guidelines
- NFPA Fire & Gas Safety — Gas appliance safety standards
Methodology
Risk scores are calculated from county-level PHMSA incident frequency, fatality count, property damage totals, and infrastructure age. Counties with more frequent or severe incidents score higher. Scores range from 0 (no recorded incidents) to 100 (highest recorded incident density).