There are a lot of things to be careful about during the cold winter months - getting sick, getting enough exercise, overeating during the holidays and careful driving on icy roads.  One thing that is commonly forgotten about is carbon monoxide poisoning.  Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is dangerous, deadly and can quickly kill a person if exposed in high levels. 

CO poisoning annually causes more than 400 unintentional American deaths, more than 20,000 visits to the emergency room and more than 4,000 hospitalizations.

Poisoning is a results of your red blood cells picking up CO quicker than oxygen. If there is a lot of CO in the air, your body may replace oxygen in blood with CO. This blocks oxygen from getting into the body, which can damage tissues and result in death. 

Since carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, you have to rely on symptoms and knowledge to know if you have been exposed.  Some of the symptoms include: severe headaches, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea or feeling faint. 

Exposure to low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea and mild headaches. This may have longer term effects on your health. Some of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu so you may not think that carbon monoxide poisoning could be the cause.

There are different sources that give off carbon monoxide.  Some of them include the burning of gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal. 

Prevention is the best way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has put a list together of steps to take to protect yourself and your family:

• DO have your fuel-burning appliances -- gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves -- inspected by a trained professional. Make certain that the flues and chimneys are connected, in good condition and not blocked

• DO choose appliances that vent their fumes to the outside whenever possible and have them properly installed.

• DON’T idle the car in a garage -- even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and living area of your home.

• DON’T use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.

• DON'T sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.

• DON’T use any gasoline-powered engines (mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, small engines or generators) in enclosed spaces.

• DON’T ignore symptoms, particularly if more than one person is feeling them. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing.

Remember, carbon monoxide poisoning can apply to pets, too. We don’t want to leave them at danger, either! 

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