- Carbon monoxide poisoning:
- The right actions in case of poisoning:
- Symptoms of Carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Some numbers :
- How to secure yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning?
- Good reflexes to avoid intoxication:
- How to identify we have carbon monoxide in our home?
- Observe the following recommendations:
Carbon monoxide (CO): keep Protect your, and your loved ones live with this invisible danger
Each year, with the approach of winter, carbon monoxide is responsible for several thousand poisonings, including around one hundred deaths that can be prevented by simple actions.
Carbon monoxide poisoning:
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that results from incomplete combustion. It is commonly the result of poorly maintained or defective heaters. Carbon monoxide can escape from wood, fuel, gasoline, gas heaters, etc. It is also typical for carbon monoxide poisoning to result from the improper use of appliances: outdoor braziers used in the interior, mobile auxiliary heaters used intensively …
The lack of ventilation of a local or housing, defective or clogged vents is another common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. Often, the risks are cumulative: in housing known as energy strainers, there is a tendency to seal the vents so as not to let air pass, and to use potentially dangerous auxiliary heating methods in the event of extreme cold or power outages, poisoning increases.
The right actions in case of poisoning:
Do you think you are a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning? Ventilate the premises immediately, turn off the heaters if possible and call the emergency services. You can also call the nearest Poison Control Center if in doubt.
Particular attention should be paid to small children, who are often the first to be affected by the poisoning.
Symptoms of Carbon monoxide poisoning:
● Headache,
● Nausea,
● Mental confusion,
● Tired.
Symptoms may not appear immediately and may affect many people. Heavy poisoning can lead to coma and death. Treatment from the first symptoms must be rapid and may justify specialized hospitalization.
Some numbers :
● 8 out of 10 poisonings take place in the home
● Carbon monoxide is responsible for around 4,000 poisonings per year in the UK.
● Carbon monoxide is responsible for around 100 deaths per year in the UK.
● 0.1% of CO in the air kills in one hour
● 1% of CO in the air kills in 15 minutes
● 10% CO in the air kills immediately
How to secure yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning?
The best protection is prevention. Be careful with the use of your heaters! Here are some reflexes to adopt.
Good reflexes to avoid intoxication:
Before each winter, have your devices checked by a professional. Above all, carry out a sweeping of the pipes of your stove or chimney once a year. Professionals who overhaul your boiler must test for the presence of carbon monoxide in your home during their annual visit.
Concerning auxiliary or electric heaters, carefully read the instructions before use and never use them continuously. Never use a generator inside a building; ditto for outdoor braziers or barbecues.
Ensure that your home is always ventilated: ventilate it regularly and never obstruct the air inlets and outlets.
How to identify we have carbon monoxide in our home?
There may be low amounts of carbon monoxide in a room without affecting your health. In contrast, regular exposure to CO can cause longer-term health problems.
Some devices detect abnormal levels of carbon monoxide (over 50 ppm CO). In this case, a powerful alarm goes off. It can be useful if the intoxicated person is already unconscious or unable to react to warn neighbours or emergency services. While fire alarms are mandatory in buildings, carbon monoxide detectors are optional. Yet they can save lives.
In case of triggering of the carbon monoxide alarm (ventilate, leave the room), the reflexes are the opposite of those to have in starting the fire alarm (caulk the doors and stay at home). Do not confuse the alarm signals and educate your loved ones on the right actions to adopt.
Observe the following recommendations:
● Before winter, have your combustion heating and hot water production appliances maintained by a qualified professional, as required by regulations;
● Have the smoke evacuation ducts swept by a qualified professional, as required by regulations;
● Never heat yourself with appliances not intended for this use (camping stoves, ovens, braziers, barbecues, stoves, etc.);
● Do not use a generator set under any circumstances in a closed place (house, cellar, garage, etc.): it must place outside buildings;
● Never use an additional combustion heater for a long time;
● Ventilate your home daily and never block the ventilation grilles, even in cold weather.