Health & Wellness: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure

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Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Daily Bread

The LORD...will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:9-11

Each year more than 500 people in the United States die of accidental CO poisoning

As temperatures drop in the 20's in Memphis and Shelby County, many families turn on heaters and light fires to heat our homes. But the same heating systems, stoves and fireplaces that keep us warm can also emit poisonous carbon monoxide gas.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death. Carbon monoxide is found in combustion fumes, such as those produced by cars and trucks, stoves, charcoal or wood fireplaces, gas ranges, water heaters, heating systems and gas-powered lawn maintenance equipment. CO from those sources can build up in enclosed or semi-enclosed places, including homes and garages.

CO is poisonous because red blood cells pick up CO quicker than they absorb oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, it may replace oxygen in the blood. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death. All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning. Certain groups, including unborn babies, infants, people with heart disease, anemia or breathing problems, are more susceptible to its effects. Each year more than 500 people in the United States die of accidental CO poisoning and more than 2,000 commit suicide by intentionally poisoning themselves with CO.

How to prevent carbon monoxide exposure:

Have your heating system, water heater and other gas, oil or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Make sure all gas appliances are vented.
Have your chimney checked or cleaned every year.
Never burn anything in an unventilated stove or fireplace. Never use a charcoal grill inside your home or garage.
Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
Never use a generator inside your home, basement or garage.
Never run a car, truck engine or gas-powered lawn maintenance equipment in a garage with the garage door shut.

The early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning produce unexplained flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and mental confusion. If you or a loved one experience the sudden onset of those symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Battery-operated CO detectors are available at many hardware and home improvement stores. They work much as smoke detectors do, sounding an alarm when they detect carbon monoxide gas. Just like smoke detectors, check or replace the batteries when you change the time of your clocks each spring and fall. If your CO detector goes off, you should leave your home immediately and call 911.

For more information about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, contact the Pollution Control Section of the Memphis-Shelby County Health Department at (901) 544-7775, or your local fire station.

Published: Feb. 28, 2007
Source: Memphis-Shelby County Health Department

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