Carbon Monoxide (also referred to as CO) is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas produced when material containing carbon is burned. Therefore, any fuel-burning appliance
in your home is a potential CO source. You can't smell it, see it or taste it but CO has the potential to cause illness, brain damage, even death. The CDC estimates that CO
poisoning is responsible for around 500 deaths and more than 15,000 emergency room / hospital visits each year. Now, as the weather has been getting colder and we are closing-up
our homes for the winter months - it is critical that we follow these safety tips:
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home and locate them in the hallway near the bedrooms. The CO alarm
should be certified to the latest UL, IAS, or CSA standards & frequent battery checks / replacements are recommended.
• Have your home heating system and chimney / flue inspected annually by a qualified technician.
• Never run your vehicle or any other gas-powered motor (such as a generator) under the same roof as your home, i.e. - garage,
basement, crawl space, covered deck.
• Check that the ventilation for your hot water heater, cooking stove and dryer are not blocked for any reason.
• Never use an oven, gas range, or dryer for heating.
• Learn the symptoms of CO poisoning and know how to identify them: Headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness. The initial symptoms of CO poisoning
are similar to the flu (but without the fever).
• Learn what medical treatments are best: Move all family members and pets to fresh air immediately and then seek medical care
in a hospital emergency room. Tell medical staff that CO poisoning is suspected (they will run a blood test to determine treatment). Call the fire department to know when it is safe
to re-enter the home.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the County Fire Marshal, Will Hanna or the County Coroner, Daniel Oxford.
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