Carbon monoxide is an invisible killer. By nature, colorless, odorless, and tasteless, it easily escapes detection, making it especially dangerous. If you grew up with gas or propane heat, you almost certainly were repeatedly warned about it by relatives.
Carbon monoxide is also far too common since it’s produced by burning fuels such as propane, gas, or wood. In 2015, 393 deaths were attributable to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, 36% of which occurred between December and February. If you’ve been exposed, or even suspect that you have been exposed, get to fresh air and seek medical attention immediately.
What Are the Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
There is a wide array of symptoms that can indicate carbon monoxide poisoning. A few of the most commonly encountered include:
- Headaches and dizziness
- Vomiting or nausea.
- Confusion or drowsiness.
- Blurred or distorted vision.
- Loss of muscle control.
- Loss of consciousness.
The Mayo Clinic has a complete list of possible symptoms worth reviewing. The almost undetectable nature of carbon monoxide means that exposure levels can cause brain damage or fatality before you know that anything is wrong.
What Season Does Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Occur Most?
You can encounter carbon monoxide dangers at any time during the year. Research from the CDC indicates that it is the winter months, between December and February, that are the most dangerous, linking it to the increased use of gas heating and furnaces during the cold weather. Summertime can pose its own dangers, too, as boating exhaust, campfires, and other traditional summer experiences add carbon monoxide to the local atmosphere.
Can Household Appliances Cause Carbon Monoxide?
Not only can they, but they are the primary offenders in cases of carbon monoxide poisoning. Gas or fuel-burning appliances such as gas dryers or water heaters are primary sources of this dangerous chemical, as are furnaces that burn wood, oil, or gas. As a result, proper monitoring and maintenance is essential.
The previously cited CDC research stresses this point:
“This study further illustrates that carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable,” said Allison Stock, a toxicologist and one of the report’s authors. “One of the primary ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is through yearly maintenance of gas-burning home appliances. We recommend having a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector in the home to alert residents of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.”
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