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EMS NEWS |
| It's the time of year we need to be aware of a silent killer. Carbon monoxide (CO). CO accounts for almost 20,000 people each year getting sick and almost 500 deaths per year. With the economy being weak and more people and families facing utility shut offs these numbers are expected to rise. CO is created by burning fuels.Without proper ventilation the CO can build up inside a residence. When CO is inhaled it enters the blood stream and attaches itself to the blood cells. This prevents oxygen from being circulated throughout the body. Symptoms are very flu like. Headache, dizziness and nausea. The build up of CO in the body can quickly lead to unconsciousness, organ failure and death. To prevent CO illness do not used gas generators indoors. Do not try to heat you residence with a charcoal grill or wood fire. Have your furnace checked annually by a trained heating professional. Below are some links on CO that you may find interesting. Stay warm and stay safe. Increasing Deaths due to CO poisoning.
Preventing CO poisoning.
Jason D. Caswell |