![]() |
CARBON MONOXIDE THE SILENT KILLER |
YOU CAN'T SMELL IT, YOU CAN'T SEE IT, YOU CAN'T TASTE IT. BUT IT CAN KILL YOU.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING IS THE #1 CAUSE OF DEATH ANNUALLY, FROM POISONING IN THE UNITED STATES . CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) IS A BY-PRODUCT OF THE COMBUSTION OF SUCH FUELS AS: GAS, OIL, KEROSENE, WOOD AND CHARCOAL. THE AMOUNT OF CARBON MONOXIDE PRODUCED WHILE USING A FUEL BURNING APPLIANCE IS USUALLY NOT HARMFUL UNLESS THE APPLIANCE IS NOT PROPERLY USED OR NOT ADEQUATELY FUNCTIONING.
DURING WINTER MONTHS SNOW CAN PARTIALLY BLOCK CHIMNEY FLUES AND HEATING VENTS, INCLUDING THE AIR INTAKE AND EXHAUST SYSTEM OF FURNACES AND HOT WATER HEATERS. IF THIS HAPPENS, THESE FUEL FIRED APPLIANCES CAN MALFUNCTION AND ALLOW CARBON MONOXIDE GASES TO INCREASE TO DANGEROUS LEVELS IN YOUR HOME, OFFICE OR OTHER CONFINED SPACES.
SOME ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE THAN OTHERS TO THE EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE, THESE INCLUDE
- FETUSES
- INFANTS
- ELDERLY PEOPLE
- THOSE SUFFERING FROM ANEMIA, RESPIRATORY OR HEART DISEASE.
SOME SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
LOW LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CAN BE CONFUSED WITH FLU SYMPTOMS, FOOD POISONING OR OTHER ILLNESSES AND CAN HAVE A LONG TERM HEALTH RISK IF LET UNATTENDED. SOME SYMPTOMS ARE:
- SHORTNESS OF BREATH
- NAUSEA
- HEADACHES
- VOMITING
- DROWSINESS
- POOR COORDINATION
- LIGHT HEADINESS.
MODERATE LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE CAN CAUSE DEATH IF EXPOSURE IS FOR LONG MEASURE OF TIME.
HIGH LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE CAN BE FATAL, CAUSING DEATH WITHIN MINUTES.
HAVE A WORKING CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR INSTALLED IN YOUR HOME AND PLACE OF BUSINESS
MORE INFORMATION CONCERNING THE EFFECTS OF CARBON MONOXIDE AND TREATMENT OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES:
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING FACT SHEET
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION - FAQ
NATIONAL CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Top of Page
RETURN TO:
HOME PAGE CRIME PREVENTION PAGE CURRENT EVENTS PAGE