Carbon monoxide -- the silent killer

  • Published
  • By David Isbill
  • Assistant Fire Chief
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas --  
The months of December and January are the peak season for carbon monoxide related calls. A study conducted by the National Fire Protection Association said an estimated 61,000 responses were made in 2005. According to the National Safety Council, 200-300 unintentional-injury deaths a year are due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil, 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.
Most of us associate CO with older homes and appliances, but increasingly the incidents are being reported in newer homes because of energy-saving devices used in heating and air-conditioning systems. These energy efficient climate controlled homes may also keep more pollutants inside than older draftier homes.
However, CO can come from many other sources, including running automobiles in or near garages to warm them, grills or generators used as alternate heat or power sources during utility disruptions, or even multiple heating units used in close proximity to one another.
A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time. The symptoms 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 CO can be fatal, causing death within minutes. Children, especially those under the age of four and even unborn children during pregnancy, are more susceptible to CO poisoning due to their size, while our elderly citizens are at higher risk because of their other pre-existing health conditions. If CO poisoning is suspected move the person to fresh air immediately and call 911 for medical assistance.
As the winter storms move in and we look for ways to stay warm, take a moment to ensure your source of heat will not cause more harm than warm. If you need more information please contact the Fire Prevention Office at 298-5037.