Carbon Monoxide poisoning harzards hit close to home

With the cold weather firmly entrenched in Cherokee County, we are using heating systems constantly now. It is time to review the hazards of Carbon Monoxide. It may save your life.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), CO poisoning causes approximately 2,100 deaths in the US per year. The use of CO alarms could potentially prevent many of these deaths.

Facts

• CO is a produced anytime a fuel is burned. Potential sources include gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces,

wood-burning

stoves, gas ovens, generators, and car exhaust fumes.

• CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. (Centers for Disease Control)

• Every year more than 10,000 people die or seek medical attention due to CO poisoning from home-related products. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

• More than two-thirds of Americans use gas, wood, kerosene or another fuel as their home's major heat source.

• 65% of CO poisoning deaths from consumer products are due to heating systems.

• Only 27% of homes in America have carbon monoxide alarms, according to the Hardware/Homecenter Research Industry.

• An idling vehicle in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened, can produce concentrated amounts of CO that can enter your home through the garage door or nearby windows.

• CO poisoning deaths from portable generators have doubled for the past two years, and many of these deaths occurred in the winter months and during power outages.

• A poorly maintained gas stove can give off twice the amount of CO than one in good working order.

Prevention

• Install at least one battery powered CO alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup on each level of your home and near sleeping areas.

• Have a licensed professional inspect heating systems and other fuel-burning appliances annually.

• Install fuel-burning appliances properly and operate according to the manufacturer's instructions.

• Keep chimneys clear of animal nests, leaves and residue to ensure proper venting. Have all fireplaces cleaned and inspected annually.

• Do not block or seal shut the exhaust flues or ducts used by water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.

• Do not leave your car running in an attached garage or carport.

• Do not use ovens or stoves to heat your home.

• Do not use charcoal or gas grills inside or operate outdoors near a window where CO fumes could seep in through a window. Information Source: firefyi.org