Healthy Lifestyle Primary Care

How to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter

Carbon monoxide alarm

Say NO to CO this season.

Nebraska has one of the highest mortality rates from carbon monoxide poisoning. Find out how to protect yourself and your family.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are more than 400 deaths and approximately 15,000 emergency room visits each year as a result of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The highest percentage of carbon monoxide exposures occur during November through February. The coldest temperatures of the winter have yet to arrive.

Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas produced when fuels burn incompletely. It has no color, taste or smell. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, vomiting, shortness of breath and convulsions. The first step in treating carbon monoxide poisoning is getting the victim to fresh air. Then seek medical attention immediately.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked Nebraska as one of the states with the highest mortality rate from carbon monoxide. It is imperative we understand the dangers, the symptoms and how to prevent poisoning from carbon monoxide.

The Nebraska Regional Poison Center offers the following suggestions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Install carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home
  • Inspect all fuel-burning equipment annually
  • Vent fuel-burning heaters to the outside
  • Do not use a gas range or an oven to heat a room
  • Never use a charcoal or gas grill inside
  • Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open
  • Generators should be run a safe distance from the home – never next to a window, door or vent
  • Have vehicle muffler and tailpipes checked regularly

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning resemble those associated with other health conditions that are common among the elderly, especially in the winter. The carbon monoxide death rate is highest among people greater than 65 years of age.

Effective Jan. 1, a new Nebraska State Law requires carbon monoxide alarms in all residences that are sold, rented or remodeled. The Nebraska Regional Poison Center encourages all residences to have a carbon monoxide alarm.

If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning or have any questions, contact the Nebraska Regional Poison Center toll-free at 800-222-1222. Nurse specialists are available 24/7 to assist you.

Nebraska Medicine has the only accredited, Level 1 clinical Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Unit in the region to treat CO poisoning. For more information, call the HBO department at 402.552.2490.

Subscribe to Advancing Health