After receiving over 18 inches of snow the past two days, many Fairfield County residents are probably piling on extra clothing layers and plugging in space heaters in an effort to stay warm during the inclement winter weather.
Along with the danger of trying to stay warm by using propane, kerosene or space heaters comes the increased danger of getting carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Hundreds of accidental CO & CO2 poisoning deaths occur each year due to malfunctioning space heaters or improperly used fuel-burning appliances. Earlier this month, a New Haven family of nine was hospitalized for carbon monoxide poisoning after their gas furnace malfunctioned.
Think You Might Have Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Symptoms of CO poisoning mirror the flu – headaches, fatigue, chest pain, nausea or vomiting, dizziness or feeling faint; if anyone in the house, including pets, shows some of these signs then you may have been exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide. If you think you might be experiencing the effects of carbon monoxide, take immediate action:
- Let in fresh air by open doors and windows. It is also a good idea to leave the house – but make sure you have a warm place to go (you don’t want to stand outside and end up with frostbite).
- Contact the fire department. They will be able to find the source of a carbon monoxide leak.
- Seek medical attention. If you or someone else in your home is feeling woozy or any other effects, go to the hospital or call an ambulance. Do not ignore the symptoms – even if you think it may just be the flu or that you are being paranoid – get checked out. It’s better to be safe than unconscious.
Don’t Become a Statistic. Prevent CO Poisoning.
After you have recovered from your injuries and the leak has been fixed, take steps to prevent CO poisoning from happening again. To prevent accidental carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Do not use items to heat your home that were not intended for heating, such as a gas range or oven, charcoal grills, lanterns or portable camping stoves.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your house near your bedrooms. You can get battery-powered or plug-in CO detectors for $30-$40. Connecticut law requires that carbon monoxide detectors are installed in all residential homes built after 2005 and in any residences where construction renovations require a building permit.
- Do not sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
- Regularly service appliances that use carbon fuels, such as oil and gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas powered refrigerators, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves.
- Do not idle your car in the garage – regardless of whether the garage door is open or shut.
- Do not use gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, weed whackers, chain saws, pressure washers and generators, in enclosed spaces.
Related resource: 9 hospitalized from carbon monoxide poisoning