Oregon Poison Center Offers Advice on How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Community

When power is lost due to severe weather, many people rely on alternate heat and electricity sources, some of which can prove hazardous, even fatal, if used inappropriately.

The Oregon Poison Center at Oregon Health & Science University would like to help educate the public on how to avoid one of the hazards of using alternate heat sources indoors: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

CO ‑ an odorless, colorless gas ‑ can cause sudden illness or even death when inhaled. During power outages, which occur predictably after winter storms, use of alternate fuel sources for heating, or cooking can cause CO build-up in a home, garage or camper and poison people and animals inside.

To avoid CO poisoning, the Oregon Poison Center recommends the following:

Each year more than 500 people die in the United States from accidental CO poisoning. CO poisoning can be slow in onset with victims slowly failing asleep or with noticeable symptoms, such as headache or nausea, which is often attributed to the flu. However, this silent odorless gas can cause loss of consciousness, brain damage and death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. People who are sleeping can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.

If you suspect someone is suffering from CO poisoning, call 911 immediately. Leave your home, open all windows and doors and turn off the furnace, the power generator and the stove.


 


OHSU Communications
503 494-8231