Don't Wake Up Dead

For almost a year I was sick. Exhausted all the time, splitting headaches, I`d get dizzy and was very rarely hungry. I assumed it was S.M.S. (Single Mother Syndrome) since I had a toddler I was always running after, plus trying to keep up with life. Turns out I was wrong, very wrong. During a routine maintenance check of my furnace we discovered a slow CO leak. Deadly gas seeping into my two bedroom apartment where my daughter and I ate, played and slept. Had I not been the type of person to always leave a window open this could be a very different story.

CO, also known as carbon monoxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas which is toxic to humans and animals. CO can rise to dangerous and deadly levels in homes, cars or any poorly ventilated area. Wood, oil, kerosene or gas fuelled appliances may produce carbon monoxide if not installed, used and maintained properly. Some common sources include furnaces, portable generators, cooking ranges and fireplaces.

Nearly 5,000 people are treated yearly in American hospital emergency rooms for CO poisoning. This number is considered a low estimate however since many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are mistaken for flu symptoms and are misdiagnosed. Any person or animal can be at risk of CO poisoning when sharing a space with an appliance capable of generating CO. Unborn babies, infants and people with anaemia or history of heart disease are especially affected by CO exposure.

Dubbed the `Cold Weather Killer` carbon monoxide deaths are often linked to home heating devices that are either not installed or not working properly. CO can kill without warning while a family sleeps, due to its complete lack of warning signs even at high levels. Physically if a person does show symptoms of CO poisoning, the symptoms are often mistaken for the flu or a gastric illness. Some symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, irregular breathing, fatigue and nausea. Though it is important to note that you could experience all these symptoms or no symptoms at all when dealing with carbon monoxide.

Besides regular maintenance and proper use of appliances, one thing you can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in your home is to install a carbon monoxide detector. CO alarms detect elevated levels of CO in the home and alert the occupants with an audible alarm. Some alarms are programmed to alert of consistent low levels of CO and others if there is a CO spike into unsafe levels. Alarms often have different features, options and levels of sensitivity. These alarms should be installed outside bedrooms or sleeping areas and in main living areas of your home. Check the alarm for its manufacturer recommendations though. Avoid installing your detector near your furnace or within 5 feet of household chemicals as these can effect your detectors ability to operate properly.

If your alarm does sound it is important you take it very seriously. Immediately open windows and doors to ventilate your home, turn off any fuel burning appliances and call a qualified technician to come out and investigate the source of the leak. If its after hours and you`re unable to contact a technician, the fire department is qualified to deal with CO leaks. If anyone in your home is experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning evacuate the house until a qualified individual tells you in is safe to return.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of CO poisoning as well as having a working CO alarm can save your life and the life of those you love.

By Jodi Sonoda

Jodi has been blogging for over 3 years, and is excited to currently be blogging with Nexxt for collegejobbank.com, realestatejobsite.com and educationjobsite.com. She is attached to the internet at the hip and enjoys the constant connection. She spends most of her offline time playing dolls and reading picture books with her two year old. You can also occasionally find her rocking the mic at karaoke night.