Carbon Monoxide in the Home: It Doesn't Just Hurt, it Kills

The number one cause of poisoning deaths in the United States is caused by carbon monoxide in and around our own homes. Most often this occurs as the cold weather approaches and more people turn on their home furnaces for the first time of the season. However, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur at any time.

Prevention Is The Only Cure

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning causes severe and permanent injuries, and in many cases, even death. Proper precautions can help to prevent this from happening, as well as reduce needless costs, pain and suffering. Some things that we can do to protect ourselves and our families include:

• Installing an approved carbon monoxide detector in our home;

• Make sure that all fuel-burning appliances in the home are installed and used in accordance with manufacturer's instructions;

• purchase appliances that are approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory;

• Have your heating system inspected and cleaned by a qualified technician before the first use of the season;

• Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned by a professional before using for the first time of the season;

• If possible, purchase only fuel burning appliances that can be vented to the outdoors;

• Examine your vents, heat duct work and chimneys for poor connections, stains or visible rust.

Carbon Monoxide Is A Silent Killer

Carbon Monoxide has no color, odor and is tasteless, which makes it almost impossible to detect in our homes without a carbon monoxide detector. If left undetected over time, Carbon Monoxide will result in permanent health damage to the brain, heart and other organs in the body. Over 3,800 deaths are reported each year in the United States from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning.

Some of the symptoms to watch out for include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, weakness, confusion, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and personality changes. All too often, people just associate the symptoms with a normal case of a cold, flu or food poisoning. If you experience these symptoms, it is best just to get checked by a medical doctor as soon as possible.