The Santa Clara County Public Health Department
’s Child Injury Prevention Workgroup would like the public to
know about possible causes of household carbon monoxide (CO)
poisoning.
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department’s Child Injury Prevention Workgroup would like the public to know about possible causes of household carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
CO usually exits a house safely through vents, flues, or chimneys. However, dangerous amounts of CO can accumulate as a result of poor installation, poor maintenance, failure or damage to an appliance, improperly burned fuel, or poorly ventilated rooms which are especially dangerous during the winter.
In all these cases, CO is unable to escape and poisoning can occur. Young children are especially vulnerable.
Each year over 200 people in the Unites States die as a result of CO poisoning produced by fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters). Others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent; or from cars left running in attached garages. In Santa Clara County, there were 4 deaths due to CO poisoning from 1999-2000 and 16 hospitalizations.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a poisonous, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquefied petroleum, oil, kerosene, coal, or wood may produce CO. Both burning charcoal and running cars produce CO.
The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Large amounts of CO can cause loss of consciousness, suffocation, and death. If caught in time, CO poisoning can be reversed. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in permanent damage or death. Anyone suspecting CO poisoning should leave the premises immediately and call 9-1-1.
The following actions can help prevent CO poisoning.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector as a backup but not as a replacement for proper use/maintenance of fuel burning appliances.
• Make sure appliances are installed, working and used correctly according to manufacturers’ instructions and local building codes.
• Have the heating system (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually. This includes checking chimneys and flues for blockages and corrosion. Ensure all connections are intact/connected properly before using a fireplace.
• Make sure there is lots of fresh air ventilation before using gas-powered engines or chemicals such as paint remover.
• Never burn charcoal or use portable fuel burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
• Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.
• Never leave a car running when it is inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
• Do not sleep in a room with a gas or kerosene space heater if it is not properly vented.
• Move into a well-ventilated area if any CO poisoning symptoms develop
• Call the local gas-company if there is a suspected gas leak in the home.
Details: call the Santa Clara County Public Health Department Maternal Child Health Program Hotline at 1-800-310-2332.
