Safety First

Each year, over 500 people die of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in America. Don’t let this happen to you or your family.

Without any warning, this invisible gas comes as an odorless, colorless and tasteless silent killer. What makes accidental death by carbon monoxide poisoning so tragic is that it can be easily preventable by installing carbon monoxide detectors along with smoke alarms and making sure batteries in both are up to date and changed on a regular basis. A good way to remember to change the batteries is to make it a habit to change them when you reset your clocks in the fall and spring.

There are other common sense precautions you can take, too. For instance, never use charcoal grills or camping stoves inside the house, make sure all electric appliances such as hot water heaters, stoves, furnaces, space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are inspected, and chimneys are well ventilated and working properly. If you have fuel- burning appliances, then you need a carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide can seep into the house from an idling car in the garage. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion because of insufficient oxygen from burning fuels such as oil, gas, propane, wood, charcoal, and methane. Particular care should be taken in the winter because during that time of year the house is closed up and the furnace, wood stove, or the fireplace is used for a source of heat producing carbon monoxide. Never use a gas oven for a source of heat. In case of a power outage, never, ever use your generator inside the house, because they produce carbon monoxide. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, between the years 2000-2005, over 250 people died from generator related carbon monoxide poisonings, that it is like putting hundreds of idling cars in your home. It is estimated that over 15,000 people a year make a trip to the emergency room due to carbon monoxide poisoning. It is difficult to diagnose since the symptoms are similar to the flu and other illnesses, and it is estimated that many people are misdiagnosed.

Some of the symptoms to be aware of in carbon monoxide poisoning are headaches, extreme tiredness, unusual sleepiness, nausea, weakness, vomiting, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If you suspect these symptoms are from CO poisoning, get fresh air and seek medical help immediately.

It is recommended that at lease one carbon monoxide alarm be installed within hearing distance and outside the bedroom and on each floor of the house.

If you have a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, and if the alarm goes off, and if you or anyone in the family is experiencing symptoms, do not hesitate, get out and call 911.