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Health Indicator Report of Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Self-Reported Presence in Home

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels. CO exposure is often the result of improper ventilation or inhalation of exhaust fumes from cars, trucks and other vehicles, generators, or gas heaters. Although CO poisoning can almost always be prevented, every year more than 500 Americans die as a result of unintentional exposure to this toxic gas, and thousands more require medical care for non-fatal poisoning. CO poisoning can be prevented by the installation and maintenance of CO detectors/alarms, and the proper maintenance of heating systems. Important guidelines: -Install battery-operated or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area in your home. -Check CO detectors regularly to be sure they are functioning properly.

Self-Reported Presence of Carbon Monoxide Detector in Home by County, 2014 - 2016


Notes

Survey question: "A carbon monoxide or CO detector checks the level of carbon monoxide in your home. It is not a smoke detector. Do you have a CO detector in your home: yes; no; don't know/not sure ?"

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health, [http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/njbrfs/]

Data Interpretation Issues

Data from the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey are intended to represent non-institutionalized adults in households with telephones. Data are collected using a random sample of all possible telephone numbers throughout New Jersey. Prior to analysis, data are weighted to represent the population distribution of adults by age, sex, and "race"/ethnicity. The denominator used for the calculation of these estimates includes all survey respondents except those with missing, don't know, and refused answers. As with all surveys, however, some residual bias may result from non-response (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions) and measurement error (e.g., social desirability or recall). Attempts are made to minimize such error by use of a strict calling protocol (up to 15 calls are made to reach each household), good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Definition

Percent of NJ residents who self report having a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in their home.

Numerator

Number of people age 18 years and older reporting having a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in their home.

Denominator

Total number of persons aged 18 and older surveyed using relevant question.

How Are We Doing?

In 2016, 86 percent of N.J. residents reported they had a carbon monoxide detector in their home.

Available Services

Office of the NJ Attorney General, fact sheet on prevention of carbon monoxide poisoning: [http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/News/Consumer%20Briefs/carbon-monoxide-poisoning.pdf#search=CO%20Poisoning] U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), information on the prevention of CO poisoning: [http://www.cdc.gov/CO/basics.htm] and [http://www.cdc.gov/CO/guidelines.htm]
Page Content Updated On 02/06/2020, Published on 11/05/2020
The information provided above is from the Department of Health's NJSHAD web site (https://nj.gov/health/shad). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Mon, 18 March 2024 22:07:20 from Department of Health, New Jersey State Health Assessment Data Web site: https://nj.gov/health/shad ".

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