Carbon monoxide(CO) poisoning kills more than 200 Americans each year and sends thousands more to the hospital. Learn what this killer is and how to prevent it.
When most people think of carbon monoxide poisoning, they think of their furnace. Many people have the misconception that since carbon monoxide poisoning does its deadly work in the form of the gas, that the only culprits are furnaces that use either natural gas or propane as their fuel source. This is a dangerous misunderstanding and people need to be educated to the facts.
1. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, carbon monoxide(CO) poisoning kills more than 200 Americans each year and sends thousands more to the hospital. Many of these deaths do occur in the fall and winter when homeowners use their furnaces for the first time in the season.
2. Furnaces are NOT the only source for poisonous carbon monoxide fumes. Among the other culprits are ranges, hot water heaters and kerosene space heaters. Your improperly vented gas dryer, gas burning fireplace, and even a refrigerator can be a source of carbon monoxide fumes.
3. Newer homes can be more dangerous than older, drafty homes. Builders are required to construct houses with a certain amount of energy efficiency. This creates houses that might not "breathe" enough, and fumes may be trapped inside. If you have a leak or a plugged chimney the gas has nowhere to go.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas which is a byproduct of burning fuel, such as wood, coal, oil or gas. When a person inhales it, it replaces the oxygen in the blood. You will feel nauseous, your vision will blur and you will become very tired. If you have these symptoms, get some fresh air. If you continue to be sick, go to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. If exposure continues you can develop seizures and die. Young children, the elderly, people with chronic health problems like asthma and heart disease, and smokers, are at a higher risk for being poisoned.
A person can also be poisoned over a long period of time from chronic exposure to carbon monoxide fumes. This could go on for weeks or months and the person would suffer nearly constant headaches, feel tired, develop flu like symptoms, become confused and could develop neurological symptoms. If you go to the doctor displaying some of these symptoms, the cause may be overlooked. But if you feel better when you are away from home you should bring this to the doctor's attention. The test for carbon monoxide poisoning is a simple blood test.
What steps can homeowners take to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning?
1. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of the house -- even the basement. The detectors should be placed high on the wall and at least one should be placed near the bedrooms. A carbon monoxide detector costs about $40.00. It monitors the amount of carbon monoxide in the air. The chemical sensor darkens when it senses gas. It can detect levels as low as .01 percent.
2. Have all your fuel-burning appliances checked each year. This includes furnaces, fireplaces, water heaters, stoves and anything that burns natural or propane gas, heating oil, wood or other fuel.
3. Have someone check the house's chimneys, flues, and vents. Inspect chimneys and flues for blockages and leakage. Look for loose or disconnected vents. For about $50, heating and air conditioning businesses will check the CO levels and inspect the heating systems.
4. Never, never use charcoal or propane grills, or operate any gas-powered engines in enclosed spaces, including your garage. Don't idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
5. Choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible. Have them properly installed, and maintain them according to manufacturers' instructions.
6. Don't use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
7. DON'T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.
Remember also, that a CO detector is not to be used while disregarding the other safety measures. They are not totally reliable. Preventing CO from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm. When shopping for a CO detector don't go strictly on the basis of cost. There are agencies that can help you make and informed decision. Check into Consumer Union (publisher of Consumer Reports,) the American Gas Association and the Underwriters Laboratories(UL) for more information. Always look for UL certification on any detector you purchase.
