Snow days are fun and beautiful and potentially dangerous! We want you and your neighbors to be safe during this snowstorm.
Carbon Monoxide, or CO, is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, deadly gas. Someone with CO poisoning may think they are just getting the flu, since symptoms can be a headache, nausea and vomiting, weakness, fatigue, and confusion. If several people in the household become ill at the same time, it may not be “just the flu.” If carbon monoxide poisoning is happening while the person is sleeping, they likely will not wake up. If you think you are experiencing CO poisoning, get to fresh air right away. Open all doors and windows wide. Call the Washington Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for more help.
When the power goes out, it is tempting to use alternative methods to heat and cook food. Make sure you stay safe from CO poisoning! If your power goes out, follow these four rules of CO safety:
- MAKE SURE your generator is far from open windows and vents.
- NEVER use a generator indoors, in garages or carports.
- NEVER run your car inside or near the garage.
- NEVER use a gas oven to heat your home.
- NEVER bring a charcoal or gas grill indoors.
In cases when the power is out for days and weeks, people get desperate to stay warm and forget the importance of following safety measures, or they simply are just not aware of the dangers. Please check on your family, friends and neighbors to make sure their methods of heating their home are not putting them at risk for CO poisoning in a storm.
For a one page flier to print and post, go to http://www.wapc.org/information/for-you-your-family/ and click on the link for Carbon Monoxide. Carbon monoxide facts in multiple languages can be found at the King County web site.
Stay warm and stay safe this winter.
