HOUSTON (March 3, 2003 ) - As the cold weather continues, families are turning up heaters to keep warm. What some parents may not realize is the cooler months provide an opportunity for a silent killer to prey on their families.
“You can’t see it, hear it, smell it, taste it or feel it; but carbon-monoxide gas can poison or even kill a person,” said Dr. Rani Siddiqi, pediatrician at Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates. “Small children and children with chronic heart or lung diseases are especially sensitive to harmful effects of the gas.”
Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of gas, oil, coal and wood used in gas fires, boilers, oil burners, water heaters, solid fuel appliances, engines and open fires. Dangerous amounts of the gas can accumulate when fuel is not burned properly and/or when rooms are poorly ventilated and the carbon monoxide is unable to escape.
“It’s far too common to miss early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning because the symptoms are extremely similar to symptoms of the flu virus,” said Siddiqi.
The most common symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, weakness and dizziness. These symptoms are produced when carbon monoxide interferes with the delivery of oxygen in the blood. With prolonged exposure, symptoms can include confusion, slurred speech, fainting, seizures, trouble breathing, coma and even death.
“If a family member is experiencing chronic flu-like symptoms, see a doctor and ask if the cause could be a low-level carbon-monoxide poisoning,” said Siddiqi. “If family members feel drowsy or dizzy and suspect poisoning, evacuate the house and call 911 from a neighbors home for medical attention.”
Parents and/or guardians can prevent children from carbon monoxide poisoning by following the following tips:
- Do not use an unvented space heater or charcoal grill indoors, or leave a car running in the garage.
- Annually inspect appliances and home-heating equipment.
- Chimneys should be cleaned each year and kept in good condition.
- Check the flame color of appliances. The flame should be blue, not yellow or orange.
- Gas ranges or ovens should be used only for cooking, not to heat a room.
“The most important way for families to protect themselves from possible poisoning is to get a carbon-monoxide detector alarm with a low-level indicator,” said Siddiqi. “If a detector is installed parents can at least be sure, having carried out all safety checks, that their family is protected.”
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