Carbon monoxide (CO) has been called the "silent killer." CO is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas. Because of this, many people never know that they have been poisoned. It is estimated that 1,500 people are killed each year in North America and many more are injured with tragic disabilities, making CO the leading cause of accidental poisoning in North America.
This is why the Milton Fire Department created the following short video to help residents with a quick and easy way to get all the information they need to know about Carbon Monoxide, the hazards and concerns. We strongly encourage all residents to take a few minutes to watch the video and learn what they can do to protect their homes and families.
C/O Poisoning sends Family to Hospital in Milton
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Video
CO is the result of incomplete combustion of a fossil fuel such as natural gas, gasoline, propane and wood. CO replaces the oxygen in the blood, a condition known as carboxhemoglobin (Cohb) saturation. As the level of carbon monoxide rises in the blood, the percentage of COhb gets higher and people get sicker. Just how sick people will get varies from person to person, depending on age, overall health, the concentration of exposure and the length of exposure. The people most at risk are the very young or the elderly. CO poisoning symptoms, commonly confused with the flu, include:
At higher levels or larger concentrations a person will become unconscious and death may result.
New homes today are being built with more energy-saving insulation, doors and windows while older homes are being upgraded with new windows, more insulation, etc. These enerygy-saving renovations may remove the natural air flow that occurs in your home.
When these natural air currents are removed and your home becomes "airtight", your heating appliances may actually re-burn the exhaust gases and produce dangerous levels of CO. Other causes of CO may be:
To protect yourself and your family you can ensure that:
Not only will this protect you from CO but it is also good for your health. The few cents that it will cost for additional heating, is a small price to pay for your family's safety.
You can purchase a CO detector from a hardware or department store. There are currently two major types of detectors on the market:
When installing a detector, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions on installation and placement to ensure that the device will work properly. Most manufacturers recommend installing the detector in the sleeping area for early detection and, if desired, installing a second detector in the furnace area.
If you are experiencing symptoms, you should notify emergency services by calling 911.
If your CO detector has gone into alarm and you have no symptoms of CO poisoning, vacate your home and: