Fire officials: Beware of carbon monoxide dangers
By Adam Smith
The North Jefferson News
As the nighttime temperatures continue to drop, more people are turning to gas heaters and furnaces to stay warm.
With that in mind, local fire departments are advising residents to use caution when heating their homes and be mindful of the signs of carbon monoxide, or CO, poisoning.
“It’s not something you should treat as trivial,” said Mt. Olive Fire Chief Chip Cousins. “It has a cumulative effect that can build in your body and cause big trouble. It’s one of the silent deadly killers.”
In addition to gas heaters, gas stoves and gas water heaters can also emit carbon monoxide if not working properly. Cousins said any gas appliance more than 10 years old should be checked to make sure it is working efficiently.
Carbon monoxide poisoning often resembles flu-like symptoms and can be accompanied with headache, watery eyes, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
“If you experience any of those signs, seek medical help immediately,” he said. “Most people think that carbon monoxide poisoning will make you turn a cherry red color. When that’s the case, the person has had a lethal dose.”
Gardendale Fire Marshal Rick Smith said more than 500 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year and more than 15,000 seek treatment at emergency rooms.
“The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure,” Smith said.
Cousins said there are several ways homeowners can protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning, including the use of carbon monoxide detectors that can be purchased at larger retail stores. He said batteries in the devices should be changed once a year and should be kept clean and dust free. Also, he suggested purchasing new carbon monoxide and smoke detectors every three to five years.
Other preventative measures include making sure dampers are opened back up if a homeowner uses gas logs. Those who use kerosene heaters in case of a power outage need to be sure the device is working properly. Gas and charcoal grills can also emit carbon monoxide fumes and should not be used under a carport, but in an open area, Cousins said.
The Mt. Olive Fire Department also has an Altair Pro, which is a tool that can be used to check the carbon monoxide levels in a home. Cousins said it only takes 30 to 45 seconds to get a reading on the meter. If carbon monoxide is detected, the tool may also be able to find the source of the problem.
He said the most important thing to remember is act quickly if you experience any kind of symptoms or if a carbon monoxide detector goes off.
“Leave the house, go outside or go to a neighbor’s house and call 911,” he said. “Call the fire department in your area and find out if they have a meter they can check the air quality with.”
Smith also provided the following tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For the best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at least once a year.
• Never use your range or oven to help heat your home.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Call your local fire department’s non-emergency number to find out what number to call if the CO alarm sounds.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent openings.