Did you know that a killer could be lurking in your home or car right now? The problem is, 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 2003, the Nebraska Regional Poison Center received 325 calls concerning exposures to carbon monoxide, which is a slight increase over the 302 calls from 2002. However, this figure can be misleading because carbon monoxide poisoning is often under reported.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning including 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.
- 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:
Home:
- 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 a carbon monoxide detector.
Car:
- Leave garage windows and doors open if the car is running.
- Have the muffler and tailpipes checked regularly.
- Open your car windows if the car is stopped for any period of time while the engine is running.
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 (402) 955-5555 in the Omaha metropolitan area or toll-free at 1-800- 222-1222 (from Nebraska and Wyoming).
The Nebraska Regional Poison Center is sponsored by UNMC, The Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University Medical Center.