Fight the MA Clean Heat Standard Today! - LEARN HOW
Posted: February 24, 2020
Winter is the peak season when it comes to carbon monoxide poisoning, because people are using their home’s heating system, space heaters, and burning fires in their fireplaces.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 20,000 people go to the emergency room, 4,000 people are hospitalized, and 400 people die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not related to fires.
Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide (CO) are often created by equipment or appliances which are defective, incorrectly installed or maintained, or improperly used. CO buildup can also happen when vents become blocked by obstructions such as ice, snow or bird nests, or people warm up their cars inside the garage.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is especially dangerous because carbon monoxide has no color and no odor.
That’s why we’re sharing important information so you can know how to prevent, and respond to, carbon monoxide buildup in your South Shore home.
While everyone is at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, infants, the elderly, people with anemia, chronic heart disease or respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable.
CO poisoning happens when carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in your red blood cells. That deprives vital organs like your heart, brain and lungs from the oxygen they need to function. If enough CO builds up in your bloodstream, it can cause permanent injury or death.
The CDC says CO poisoning symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:
Pets are also vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. If your pet is suddenly weak or lethargic, especially if they’ve been in an enclosed space, that may be a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning. Other potential signs are sudden vomiting (especially followed by weakness or listlessness), difficulty breathing, seizures or loss of consciousness. If your pet shows these signs, get it (and everyone else) out of the house right away and take your pet directly to an emergency veterinarian.
Detecting the presence of carbon monoxide is essential to keeping you and your family safe.
Battery-operated or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors should be on every level of your home and outside all bedrooms. Install and maintain your CO detectors according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Replace the battery in every detector each spring and fall when you change your clocks and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. CO detectors need to be replaced every five years.
If you use propane in your home, we recommend that you install a propane leak detector as well.
Prevention is the best defense against carbon monoxide poisoning. Here are some tips to prevent CO from building up in your home.
Want more information about carbon monoxide? Go to our propane safety page.
Frank Lamparelli is dedicated to making sure our customers and neighbors here on the South Shore are safe. Contact us to learn more about carbon monoxide safety, or have us inspect you home heating equipment, today.