Did you know that a killer could be lurking in your home or car right now? The problem is that this killer can strike without ever being seen, heard or smelled.
Each year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills nearly 500 people nationwide and sickens thousands more.
In 2007, the Nebraska Regional Poison Center received 291 calls concerning carbon monoxide. However, this figure can be misleading because carbon monoxide poisoning is often under reported.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, shortness of breath and convulsions. The first step in treating carbon monoxide poisoning is getting the victim to fresh air. Then, seek medical attention immediately.
Carbon monoxide is a gas produced when fuels burn incompletely, as almost all fuels do to some extent. It has no color, taste or smell. The major causes of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Lack of ventilation in a car;
- Using a charcoal grill indoors;
- Using unvented space heaters; and
- Using heating equipment that is in poor repair.
When fresh air is available and fuel is burning properly, there is little danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. However, operating an internal combustion engine or a poorly adjusted fuel-burning appliance in a closed area without fresh air can become fatal.
The Nebraska Regional Poison Center offers the following suggestions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Inspect all fuel-burning equipment yearly;
- Vent fuel-burning heaters to the outside;
- Do not use a gas range or an oven for heating a room;
- Never use a charcoal grill or hibachi inside;
- Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your house;
- Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open; and
- Have the muffler and tailpipes checked regularly.
Remember, prevention is the best treatment for poisonings. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center offers tips on carbon monoxide poisoning prevention as a free community service. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning or if you have any questions, contact The Nebraska Regional Poison Center at 955-5555 in the Omaha area or toll-free at 1-800-222-1222 in Nebraska and Wyoming.
The Nebraska Regional Poison Center is sponsored by UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University Medical Center.