Community Partners
Contact: Michael McLeieer, APIO, CFSI-III
President, E.S.C.A.P.E.
(269) 492-3340
Email: michael.mcLeieer@escapeinc.org
Website: www.escapeinc.org
Campaign: Carbon monoxide is the silent killer/Put a freeze on winter fires
Details:
Like fire, carbon monoxide (CO) is just as deadly. It’s called the silent killer because it’s colorless, odorless and invisible. More than 400 people in the United States die every year from accidental nonfire-related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators. When you breathe in CO, it makes you feel nauseas, dizzy, headachy, and tired like you have the flu. It also makes it difficult to think clearly. CO poisons the body by removing oxygen in the blood stream, slowing suffocating you and eventually causing unconsciousness and even death.
Winter snows can create drifts that block exhaust vents, forcing CO to back-up into your home. High efficiency appliances and those with power-vent blowers by definition waste less heat, so
the exhaust air temperature is very low. Often it is too low to melt snow or ice in a plugged exhaust pipe or vent. Keep sidewall and direct vents clear of obstructions, drifting snow and bushes to provide proper ventilation.
Where does CO come from?
Heating equipment is the leading cause of CO incidents. It can also come from hot water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces, kerosene heaters, and from cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers or generators running inside the garage – even with the door open. A large number of CO incidents take place between the months of November and February and between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. This is the time when most heating equipment is being used at home.
Facts & Figures
• The dangers of CO 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 (i.e. emphysema, asthma, heart disease) can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of CO than healthy adults would be.
• 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.
• More than 20,000 people visit emergency rooms across the U.S. and more than 4,000 are hospitalized each year.
What can you do?
• Install a CO alarm on every level of your home. Replace alarms that are over seven years old. Current alarms can last up to 10 years.
• Never use a generator inside the home or attached garage.
• Never warm up a vehicle inside the garage even with the garage door open.
• Have a licensed contractor inspect and service your gas-fired heating and cooking appliances at least annually.
What to do if you suspect CO exposure
• Get out of the house or car and get fresh air.
• Call the fire department or 911 from a neighbor’s house.
• If you have symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Other Winter Safety Tips
• Don’t use an oven or stove to heat your home.
• Maintain smoke alarms on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms weekly and replace alarms over 10 years old.
• Close doors when you go to bed to stop the spread of smoke and fire.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can catch fire. Turn off a space heater when you leave the room or go to bed. Plug the space heater directly into a wall outlet.
