Carbon Monoxide Dangers

Carbon Monoxide – It is now officially wintertime in Alaska. Inevitably every winter, casualties result from this poisoning in Alaska. Fortunately, the effect of these incidents can be minimized or – even better – prevented altogether.

What Is Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide, also known as the silent killer, is an odorless gas that can enter the blood stream and cause serious illness or death. Consequently, too much in the air causes the body to replace the oxygen in red blood cells with the carbon monoxide. Most importantly, knowing the signs of poisoning and how to prevent it can save your life.

Signs And Symptoms of Poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning can occur from both overexposure in single incident or exposure in small amounts over an extended period of time. You may be exposed and not know for several days. This can lead to long term effects. Stay alert for signs and symptoms of this type of poisoning including a dull headache, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.

If you think you have carbon monoxide poisoning, seek medical treatment. In most cases, medical treatment involves hyperbaric oxygen therapy, where the patient breaths pure oxygen in a chamber with pressure higher than normal to replace the carbon monoxide with oxygen.

Prevention

Prevent poisoning by installing carbon monoxide monitors on every level of your home and work place. Furthermore, install monitors lower to the floor for faster detection and never ignore alarms.

Never run a vehicle in a garage because exhaust needs plenty of air circulation.

A few additional safety measures to prevent this danger within your home:

• Have your heating system, water heater, dryer and other gasoline operated appliances inspected each year by a qualified technician;
• Do not heat your home with a gas stove;
• Do not use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline operated device inside your home;
• When using a fireplace, make sure it is properly vented before each use;
• Do not use any gasoline-powered engine (mowers, snow blowers, chains saws) in enclosed spaces;
• For additional research material Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

To sum up, please stay safe and warm this winter season. Protect yourself and your family by taking recommended safety measures and staying aware of carbon monoxide poisoning dangers.

Johnson Law has been helping Alaskans injured in winter driving accents for 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us… We’re here if you do. ~ Doug Johnson

Source: Mayo Clinic – Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Image Source: THE MENA STAR