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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A few years ago this week, my family almost died from CO poisoning.  We had no detectors in the home.  We didn’t think we needed them as our home was all electric.  But we did have an attached garage, and when an automatic starter on a car malfunctioned during the night of Thanksgiving, carbon monoxide seeped quietly into our home.  At first, we all assumed we had food poisoning, as we were sick and dizzy and weak.  I finally was able to make it downstairs in the early morning hours to call 911.  When the firemen arrived, their monitors started beeping and the next thing I knew, we were all being carried out of the house.  My husband, three kids, mother and father-in-law, and myself wound up in two different ER’s being cared for due to CO poisoning.  To this day, I still remember how close we came to death and I share our experience and education as much as possible. Angela Johnson, Safe @ Home Staff Coordinator

What is Carbon Monoxide?

It is a colorless, odorless gas found in the fumes anytime fuel is burned.  It can build up in a home and cause death to both people and animals in high enough levels.  Anytime you burn fuel in vehicles, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, and furnaces you create CO.

Who is at risk?

The short answer is – everyone.  Groups who are more likely to get sick from CO include infants, the elderly, those with heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems.  Each year around 400 people die in the US from unintentional CO poisoning and more than 20,000 visit ERs and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms are often confused with the stomach flu.  Common symptoms are listed below.  If an individual stays long enough in high enough levels unconsciousness and death can result.  Individuals who are sleeping or intoxicated when exposed can often die never knowing they were suffering from CO exposure.co1

  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Weakness
  • Upset stomach
  • Vomiting
  • Chest pain
  • Confusion

Prevention

Prevention of CO poisoning should be in all homes, regardless of if they have natural gas appliances or not.  The CDC makes the following recommendations in regards to CO detection and prevention.

  • Install CO detectors in the home where it will awaken you if it alarms.  Check batteries each spring and fall when you change your clocks and test to make sure it is in working order.  Replace detectors every five years.  Consider buying a digital detector that will give you a CO reading.  During times when furnace is in use, test detectors monthly.co6
  • Have gas heating systems and water heaters serviced yearly by a qualified technician to check for and fix problems early.
  • Do not use gas heaters indoors, even if you are ventilating the area.  Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
  • If your refrigerator is gas powered and smells have it serviced right away.
  • Buy gas equipment with a seal from a national testing agency.
  • Make sure gas appliances are vented properly.  This includes clearing away snow from exhaust vents in a two foot square area outside.co3
  • Never patch pipes with tape, gum, etc.  Have pipe replaced by qualified technician.
  • Never burn charcoal or use a portable camp stove indoors.
  • Never use a gas-powered generator in your home, basement, garage, or within 20 feet of windows, doors, or vents.  If using a generator make sure to have a working CO detector in the home.co4
  • Make sure vehicles are properly serviced for exhaust issues.  Never run a car or truck in a garage without the garage door being completely open.co2

Caregiver tip

Caregivers can help home-bound clients test monthly and replace batteries and ensure CO and fire detectors are in working order.  They can also pass along CO poisoning prevention information to their family and clients.co5

(CDC)

Images courtesy of Eau Claire Emergency Management

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One response to “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning”

  1. One classic sign of carbon monoxide poisoning is more often seen in the dead rather than the living – people have been described as looking red-cheeked and healthy (see below). However, since this “cherry-red” appearance is common only in the deceased, and is unusual in living people, it is not considered a useful diagnostic sign in clinical medicine. In pathological (autopsy) examination the ruddy appearance of carbon monoxide poisoning is notable because unembalmed dead persons are normally bluish and pale, whereas dead carbon-monoxide poisoned persons may simply appear unusually lifelike in coloration.

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