 |
 |
Reprinted with permission from Farmers Friendly Voice newsletter – Kimberly Woodson, Farmers Insurance Agency Owner
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, toxic gas — and because it’s impossible to see, taste or smell, it can make you ill or even kill you before you are aware it’s in your home.
All people and animals are at risk for CO poisoning although certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.1
Sources of carbon monoxide include cigarette smoke, house fires, faulty furnaces, heaters, wood-burning stoves, internal-combustion vehicle exhaust, lawn mowers and so on.2
What to look for
There tend to be no noticeable symptoms if an individual’s CO levels are at less than 10 percent in the bloodstream. Above 10 percent, CO poisoning symptoms may mimic the flu or a cold and may include:
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Mild confusion
- Irregular breathing and heartbeat
- Nausea
- Coughing
What to do
If you suspect that you or members of your family are suffering from CO poisoning take action immediately:
- Evacuate your home.
- Call 911 from another location.
- Report it to the fire department.
Help to prevent CO poisoning
- Install a CO detector on each level of your home, and in or near each sleeping area.
- Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
- Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
- Over gas stoves, install and use an exhaust fan vented to the outdoors.
- Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
- Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating systems (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
- Do not idle the car inside the garage.
- If you’re working in the garage, open the door.
Take some time to manage your home’s risks — it may help to protect you and your family. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about carbon monoxide poisoning. Share this information with friends and loved ones — it may help to protect them and their families.
If you have questions about home, life, car, or other insurance, contact Kimberly Woodson at Farmers Insurance Agency.
1Source: http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm
2Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_monoxide_poisoning#Causes
Kimberly Woodson is a Farmers Insurance Agency Owner and is an advertiser on Richmondmom.com
