Monthly Environmental Message
Limit Your Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Exposure to carbon monoxide increases during the winter and hurricane seasons when people are more likely to use gas furnaces, heaters, and generators in their homes. The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure are nausea, headache and dizziness which are easily mistaken for other conditions such as a viral illness. More severe symptoms are loss of consciousness, shortness of breath and loss of muscle control.
Strategies to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Exposure:
- Install a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in your home and replace the battery when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall.
- Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas-, oil-, or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Do not use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or outside near a window.
- Do not run a car or truck inside a garage attached to your house, even if you leave the door open.
- Do not heat your house with a gas oven.
If the Carbon Monoxide detector alarm goes off:Check to see if any member of the household is experiencing symptoms of poisoning. If they are, get them out of the house immediately and seek medical attention. Tell the doctor you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning. If no one is feeling symptoms, ventilate the home with fresh air and turn off all potential sources of carbon monoxide.