VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — As Northeast Ohio starts to dig itself out from this past weekend's snow and ice, fire departments locally and across the continent are sending a helpful reminder to homeowners to watch out for a hidden killer.
The Warman Fire Rescue crew from Warman, Saskatchewan in Canada sent out the following post on Facebook late last week. "Carbon Monoxide Safety Alert! Please take a minute to clear ice off your newer homes high efficiency intakes and exhausts on your house or it may back up into your home. CO has no odor, can’t see it- the silent killer! Be safe and buy a CO detector for under $40. Might save your families life! Stay warm and safe!"
The Facebook post was shared by the Valley View Fire Department in Northeast Ohio.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, at least 430 people die in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Approximately 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the emergency department each year due to accidental CO poisoning.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever having symptoms.
In addition to clearing off your home's high efficiency intakes and exhausts, here are some other tips from the CDC to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Change the batteries in your CO detector every six months. If you don’t have a battery-powered or battery back-up CO detector, buy one soon.
- Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
- Keep vents and flues free of debris. Debris can block ventilation lines.
- Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
- Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
- Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
- Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
- If you suspect CO poisoning, call 911 or a health care professional right away.
For more information, check out the CDC's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning website here.