Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that can be poisonous at high levels of exposure. Your gas stove contains carbon monoxide, so it is important that you turn off the stove correctly and maintain good airflow when you look at the pilot light. [3] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Products Safety Commission Independent U. S. government agency responsible for protecting consumers by developing safety standards and conducting product research Go to source
To expose the pilot lights on your stovetop so you can see them, make sure the burners on the stovetop are all turned to the OFF position and the oven is turned to OFF. If you have used the stovetop recently, wait at least an hour for the burners to cool down. Then, take the metal covers of the burners off and place them to one side. Run your hands along the front bottom of the stove top and the stovetop up. There should be a latch under the stove top to prop the stovetop up. Make sure the latch is in place and the stovetop is firmly propped.
In the middle of both burners, there should be two small openings. These openings are where the flame for the pilot light would be if the stove top was turned ON. There should be no flame, as your stovetop is set to OFF.
Always double check the owner’s manual for your stove to make sure you have identified the right switch. Handling the gas line should be done with caution. If you are not sure where the stove’s pilot light switch is, call your energy company and/or the stove’s manufacturer to confirm.
The symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. If you are exposed to high levels of CO gas, you may experience more severe symptoms like mental confusion, vomiting, loss of muscular coordination and loss of consciousness, as well as possibly death. [9] X Trustworthy Source Consumer Products Safety Commission Independent U. S. government agency responsible for protecting consumers by developing safety standards and conducting product research Go to source If you experience any of these symptoms, you should leave your home and get fresh air outside right away. Do not stay in your home, as you could lose consciousness from CO exposure. Call the fire department and report your symptoms. You should also talk to your doctor as soon as possible and let her know you suspect you may have been exposed to CO gas.
