Protect Yourself from Carbon Monoxide

I had never really thought much about carbon monoxide poisoning, that is until the spring of 2005. It was during the month of March that year, when I began to notice my kids getting sick a lot. It wasn't anything really noticeable at first, just constant headaches and nausea. I thought they were suffering from the flu. And then when the my husband and I started getting sick also, I figured we were just passing the bug around like we usually did. That is until a neighbor dropped by one afternoon, saw how sick we all were and absolutely insisted we go to the doctor. Our heating source at the time just happened to be several kerosene space heaters. Later, after doing some tests in our home, we found that one of those heaters had a leak that was slowly poisoning our family. It was then that I began to realize just how serious this issue was and how most people never stopped to think about how important it is to have there home tested for the presence of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide poisoning sickens several thousand people every year, this has been reported by the Centers For Disease Control. And www.cpsc.gov reports that around 170 people die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning. These figures are startling, considering how simple and easy it is to prevent this from happening to you or your family. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas, which explains why many people have become sick over time without really knowing why. Carbon monoxide poisoning is very hard to diagnose because the symptoms are so like those of other more common illnesses. The symptoms of C.M. poisoning range anywhere from mild headaches to seizures. Dizziness, shortness of breath, impaired judgment, hallucinations, vomiting, stomach pain, memory and walking problems are also common. If you or a family member has any of these conditions and you feel as if you have been exposed to carbon monoxide in some way, seek medical attention immediately, especially if you have other members of your family who are experiencing any of the same conditions.

Some common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning include motor vehicle exhaust; children riding in the backs of covered trucks are at an especially high risk. Smoke from fires, non electric heater, using a grill indoors without proper ventilation, malfunctioning water heaters and stoves, even spray paint, solvents and paint removers can be a carbon monoxide hazard. Personnel at fires are at a really high risk rate for carbon monoxide poisoning.
There are steps to take to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Invest in a carbon monoxide detector, which works in much the same way as a smoke detector. Its very inexpensive and could end up saving your life, or the life of a family member. Have all appliances checked periodically for leaks and avoid using outdoor BBQ grills indoors or kerosene heaters without proper ventilation. Avoid sitting in an enclosed automobile with the motor running or swimming under the stern of a boat with the engine running.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious issue. Protect your family by purchasing a carbon monoxide detector, every home should have one. To learn more about carbon monoxide poisoning and its prevention visit www.emedicinehealth.com.