Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

12/1/2016 (Permalink)

Have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed on each level of your home and business.

Lose power during an emergency and you’ll be grateful if you have a portable generator for electricity. You might also use an outdoor grill for cooking. But the Connecticut Department of Public Health cautions everyone to use generators and grills with care. Here are some guidelines from the department’s Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness.

Avoid CO Build Up
Misuse of portable generators and outdoor grills or other cooking devises can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in your home, garage, camper, or other confined space. CO can poison animals and people. Follow these guidelines:

1. Don’t use a portable generator inside your home, garage, carport, basement, covered porch, or any enclosed space.  

2. Use a generator outside at least 20 feet from your own and any neighbors’ homes or businesses. Keep the portable generator away from doors, windows, and air intake vents so the CO it generates will not be able to travel inside.

3. Propane and kerosene heaters can also help in an emergency but keep them outside.

Whatever your natural disaster question is, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has answers. Call at 860-216-2785.
 
4. You may be tempted to use your gas oven or stove top to heat your house. Never do that.

5. Before an emergency check to make sure you have CO detectors installed on each level of your home and business. Have them right outside sleeping areas, too. Change the batteries every six months and replace your CO detector every five years.

6. Know that opening windows and doors and using fans is not enough to stop a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide in your home or business.

CO Poisoning Can Look Like The Flu
7. The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to flu symptoms: headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. These signs may be your only warning because you cannot see or smell CO.

8. If you have the symptoms of CO poisoning or if someone around you does, go outside to get in the fresh air. Dial 9-1-1 from a mobile phone or from a neighbor’s house. If you’re in Connecticut you should also call the Connecticut Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

CO or natural disaster questions? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

9. After a snow storm, make sure your car's exhaust pipe is clear. A clogged exhaust pipe could lead to carbon monoxide buildup in your vehicle.

10. There’s more information about carbon monoxide on the Connecticut Department of Public Health CO Poisoning page.

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