Risk Factors
Safety Recommendations
Place carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of your home and near sleeping areas. Replace batteries annually and replace the unit every 5-7 years.
Have a licensed HVAC technician inspect your furnace, water heater, and any gas appliances annually. Cracked heat exchangers are a leading cause of residential CO poisoning.
Portable generators, charcoal grills, and camp stoves produce lethal amounts of CO. Use only outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows and doors.
Contact your gas utility to ask about the age and material of your service line. Cast iron and bare steel pipes have higher failure rates than modern polyethylene.
Protect Your Family from CO
Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless. A detector is the only way to know if CO levels are dangerous.
Kidde CO Detector with Digital Display →CO & Gas Safety in Newfields, NH
ZIP code 03856 has low gas safety risk with a score of 1/100. Gas distribution infrastructure in this area has a favorable safety record, though CO safety precautions remain important for every home.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Threat
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that kills over 400 Americans per year and sends another 50,000 to emergency rooms, according to the CDC. Common residential sources include:
- Gas furnaces and boilers — cracked heat exchangers and blocked flues release CO into living spaces
- Water heaters — gas water heaters in enclosed spaces without adequate ventilation
- Attached garages — vehicle exhaust can seep into living areas through shared walls
- Gas distribution lines — aging pipeline infrastructure can develop leaks that affect entire neighborhoods
Gas Distribution Safety in Your Area
PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) records show 2 gas distribution incidents in this county since 2004. No fatalities have been reported.
Gas distribution incidents include leaks, ruptures, and excavation damage to underground pipelines. The most common causes are:
- Corrosion of aging metal pipes
- Excavation damage from construction work near buried lines
- Material failure in older pipeline segments
- Natural forces including ground movement, temperature changes, and flooding
CO Detector Placement
Proper CO detector placement is critical for early warning:
- Every floor of your home, including the basement
- Within 15 feet of each sleeping area
- Away from windows, doors, and fans that could affect readings
- At outlet height — CO mixes with air (it does not only rise or sink)
About This Assessment
This assessment combines PHMSA gas distribution incident data with infrastructure age and population density factors. Pipeline incident data covers 2004-present. Individual home CO risk depends on appliance age, maintenance history, and ventilation — factors not captured in area-level data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are signs of CO exposure?
Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and confusion — often mistaken for the flu. Prolonged exposure can cause loss of consciousness, brain damage, or death. If your CO detector alarms or you suspect exposure, leave the building immediately, get to fresh air, and call 911. Do not re-enter until emergency responders confirm it is safe.
How often should I check CO detectors?
Test your CO detectors monthly by pressing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year (or when the low-battery alert sounds). Replace the entire detector unit every 5–7 years, as the sensor degrades over time. Install detectors on every level of your home, near sleeping areas, and within 15 feet of fuel-burning appliances.
What causes CO leaks?
Common sources include malfunctioning furnaces, boilers, and water heaters; blocked or cracked chimneys and flues; running a car or generator in an attached garage; and gas stoves or ovens used for heating. Have fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a qualified technician. Never use portable gas-powered equipment indoors.