Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – Winter’s Silent Killer

Carbon monoxide is often called a silent killer, and for good reason – it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It’s also poisonous and claims hundreds of lives each year.

Some of our appliances use carbon monoxide every day. It’s given off by gas furnaces, charcoal grills, propane heaters, and portable generators. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15,000 Americans visit emergency rooms with symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning each year. An additional 439 lose their lives in non-fire carbon monoxide related incidents.

Many people are exposed to this type of danger, and the numbers are likely underrepresented. Only 13 states in the United States have statutes on the books that require doctors to report carbon monoxide poisoning. Since the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with other diseases and autopsies don’t generally test for it, it’s possible that carbon monoxide poisoning leads to even more devastation each year.

What Are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Another reason carbon monoxide poisoning might go unnoticed is because the symptoms mimic other illnesses. The most commonly reported symptoms are headache, nausea, and feeling lightheaded and dizzy.

The symptoms of CO poisoning are often mistaken for the flu. Depending on the concentration of the gas in the area, you may also experience muscle weakness, loss of muscle control, mental confusion, changes in heart rate, and excessive sleepiness.

Leave your house and consult a doctor immediately if you experience any of these telltale signs of carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Your symptoms worsen shortly after turning on a device that burns fuel (i.e., a heater or gas appliance)
• More than one person experiences similar symptoms at the same time (i.e., the flu usually has an incubation period of several days)
• Symptoms worsen in a certain location and go away once you leave it

Carbon monoxide poisoning is most likely to affect the elderly and is more likely to occur in men than women. The latter is likely because men spend more time working with fuel-burning appliances and tools.

Death from carbon monoxide poisoning is most likely to occur in the winter months – the highest rates of deaths statistically fall in January and December. Conversely, the months of July and August have the lowest amount of carbon monoxide-related death.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Pittsburgh

Thankfully, there are a few simple ways you can drastically reduce your risk of experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Inspect your gas-burning appliances. Sign up for a maintenance program with your local HVAC company and have them inspect your heating systems, water heaters, and other appliances that burn gas, oil, or coal. This helps assure that your appliances are not leaking CO.
• Never use any combustible tools indoors – examples include charcoal and propane grills, portable generators, and camp stoves.
• Do no run or heat up your vehicle in the garage, even when the garage door is open.
• Never burn anything in a fireplace without a vent to the outside.
• Do not heat your home with a gas oven.
• If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning may be the cause of your symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
• Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors in your home, preferably one for each level. Change the batteries at daylight savings time – twice a year. Some models plug into the wall and have a battery backup for convenience.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious medical condition that can lead to flu-like symptoms and even death. However, it’s preventable by following some simple steps. By completing routine safety checks and installing and maintaining your carbon monoxide detectors, you can effectively protect your loved ones from carbon monoxide this winter. If you have further questions about carbon monoxide poisoning, contact your local health department for details. The Pittsburgh personal injury attorneys at Hal Waldman & Associates are available to answer any questions if you have experience complications from carbon monoxide poisoning.