A Silent Killer - Carbon Monoxide

Fire isn’t the only home danger we are talking about during October! There is another danger in your home and it’s one you can’t smell, see, feel or taste! We’re talking about CARBON MONOXIDE (CO). It is often referred to as the silent killer, because without a detector it often goes unnoticed until it’s too late! Carbon monoxide can be present in any place that has appliances that utilize a fuel (gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil or methane). It is created when these fuels burn incompletely.

It is estimated that nearly 15,000 people visit the emergency room each year with some level of carbon monoxide poisoning and 500 deaths each year are attributed to accidental CO poisoning. In 2005 U.S. fire departments responded to around 61,100 CO incidents! These are alarming numbers, but sadly most people do not know the signs or symptoms of CO poisoning or take steps to prevent it!

CO poisoning is something that can occur with someone is exposed to a large amount of CO over a short period of time or a small amount of CO over a longer period of time. Regardless of how it occurs, there are several signs and symptoms to look for.

- Dull headache (the most common early symptom)
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chest Pain
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Impaired Judgment
- Loss of Consciousness

If you suspect you may have CO poisoning you should get to fresh air immediately and seek medical care. If symptoms are not severe, open windows and doors as you leave to ventilate your home.

Now that you know the signs and symptoms, let’s move on to preventing and protecting your home from CO!

- Install a CO alarm and follow manufacturer’s instructions for placement.

- Test CO alarms once a month and replace them according to manufacturer’s instructions.

- If CO alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outside or open windows and doors. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay outside until emergency crews arrive.

- Never run your vehicle in a closed garage. It is best to remove your vehicle from the garage immediately after starting, but if you do not, be sure to keep any doors to your home firmly closed.

- During or after a snow storm make sure vents for dryers, furnaces, stoves or fireplaces are clear and make sure your vehicles exhaust pipe is not covered in snow before starting.

- A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.

- Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO and should only be used outdoors.

- Have fuel burning equipment and chimneys inspected every year before cold weather sets in.

- When using a fireplace, be sure to open the flue for adequate ventilation.

Now that you have some basic knowledge, sit back and assess your home! Think basement to roof…do you have any appliances that burn fuels? Gas fireplace? Wood stove? Coal stove? Hot water heater? Furnace? The list goes on and on! If one exists in your home get out and get that CO detector TODAY and put this silent killer to rest!