Check the Batteries in Your Carbon Monoxide Detectors Do you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home? They work like your fire or smoke detectors. The device sounds an alarm when it detects the presence of carbon monoxide gas. Since carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, it's presence can't be detected by our senses. The gas is produced any time fuel is burned. Gasoline, wood, propane, even charcoal can produce the poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide sources in your home may be the clothes dryer, water heater, furnace, gas stove and oven, wood-burning and gas fireplaces, grills, generators, wood stoves, and motor vehicles.