For Immediate Release:
November 1, 2005

Contact:
Nanci Gonder,
Office of Public Information
573-751-6062

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Alerts Missourians
to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the weather turning colder, more people are closing up their homes and turning on their furnaces and other heat sources, but in doing so they may also be increasing their risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) today alerted Missourians to take extra precautions as cold weather approaches to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. The threat can come from a variety of possible sources such as furnaces, heaters, stoves, generators, and vehicles.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, highly poisonous gas. The burning of fossil fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, kerosene, charcoal, or wood produces the gas. Inside a home carbon monoxide can be produced from a natural gas-fueled furnace, water heater, clothes dryer, space heater, or range, as well as a kerosene heater, fireplace, or wood stove. The danger is greatest when these sources are poorly vented or not working properly.

The early symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headaches, dizziness, weakness, sleepiness, nausea, and vomiting; people with heart disease may develop an irregular heartbeat. Exposure to higher concentrations can cause disorientation, coma, convulsions, and death. In the last four years, there have been 126 fatal carbon monoxide poisonings in Missouri. Physicians and laboratories are required to report cases of carbon monoxide poisoning to their state or local public health agency.

Anyone who suspects they are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should open doors and windows, turn off natural gas-fueled appliances, go outside for fresh air, then be sure anyone else who might have been exposed breathes fresh air. Immediate medical attention should be sought for cases of severe carbon monoxide poisoning.

The following are some precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Be sure natural gas-fueled appliances are installed and used according to manufacturer’s instructions;
• Have your home heating system inspected annually;
• If an appliance pilot light goes out, do not attempt to re-light the pilot light. Contact a professional.
• Have ventilation systems such as chimneys, flues, and vents checked each year;
• Do not use natural gas-fueled appliances such as an oven, range, or clothes dryer to heat your home;
• Do not burn charcoal inside a house, garage, vehicle or tent for heating or cooking, not even in a fireplace;
• Do not use un-vented gas or kerosene heaters in closed spaces – especially around or in sleeping areas;
• Never leave an automobile running in a closed garage or in a garage attached to the house even with the garage doors open;
• Do not use any gasoline-powered engines such as mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws or generators in enclosed spaces;
• Do not leave the rear window or tailgate of a vehicle open while driving; and
• Repair leaking exhaust pipes and mufflers on automobiles.

DHSS strongly suggests that anyone with natural gas-fueled appliances, fireplaces, kerosene space heaters, and gas generators install carbon monoxide detectors in their home, especially near bedrooms. Carbon monoxide detectors are similar to smoke detectors and can be purchased at hardware stores. Carefully follow instructions for installation and placement to ensure proper function, and change batteries at least once every year.

For more information about carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention, contact Randy Maley at 573-751-6102. To report persons suffering from carbon monoxide exposure or testing done for carbon monoxide exposure, contact Carol Braun at 573-526-4175.