Preventative measures against carbon monoxide can save lives Published Feb. 16, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. Brian Brown Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services Flight TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Every year in America, unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning claims more than 500 lives and sends another 15,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment. Although the popularity of carbon monoxide alarms has grown in recent years, it cannot be assumed that everyone is familiar with the hazards of carbon monoxide poisoning in the home. Often referred to as the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless and colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, propane and methane burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide enters the body through breathing. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be confused with flu symptoms, food poisoning and other illnesses. Some symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, light headedness or headaches. High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal, causing death within minutes. A person can be poisoned by a small amount of carbon monoxide over a longer period of time or by a large amount of carbon monoxide over a shorter amount of time. The dangers of carbon monoxide exposure depend on a number of variables, including the victim's health and activity level. Infants, pregnant women and people with physical conditions that limit their body's ability to use oxygen can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of carbon monoxide. Tyndall Fire & Emergency Services Flight offers the following safety tips to reduce risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. In the home: · Install carbon monoxide alarms inside your home to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide. The alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area. If bedrooms are spaced apart, each area will need a carbon monoxide alarm. · Test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month and replace carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer's instructions. · Carbon monoxide alarms are not substitutes for smoke alarms. Know the difference between the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms. · Have fuel-burning heating equipment such as fireplaces, furnaces, water heaters, stoves, space or portable heaters and chimneys inspected by a professional every year before cold weather sets in. · When purchasing new heating and cooking equipment, select products tested and labeled by an independent testing laboratory. · When using a fireplace, open the flue for adequate ventilation. · Never use your oven to heat your home. · When buying an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. Outside the home: · If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run a vehicle, generator or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open. · Only use barbecue grills outside. Never use them in the home, garage, carport, Florida room or near building openings. · When camping, remember to use battery-powered lights in tents, trailers and motor homes. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds: · Immediately move to a fresh air location and call 911. Remain at the fresh air location until emergency personnel say the area is safe. · If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries or other trouble indicators. Prevention and education are the keys to remaining safe in your home. For more information, call 283-2909.