Fire chief warns of danger of carbon monoxide
A fire call for a possible gas leak in Medford’s downtown is a wake up call for area residents and businesses to be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Firefighters from the Medford Area Fire Department responded to a possible gas leak at 232 S. Main St. at 4:58 p.m. on Sept. 28. According to Medford fire chief Mike Filas, rather than a natural gas leak, firefighters found elevated levels of carbon monoxide (CO) on the main level and in the upstairs apartment area. Technicians from We Energies also responded and found no natural gas leak.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is formed from the incomplete combustion of natural gas and other fuels. Filas noted that it can cause illness and even death in high enough or prolonged quantities.
He explained that even at low levels CO can be deadly because prolonged and repeated exposure will allow the chemical to build up in people’s bodies interfering with the ability to absorb oxygen.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or intoxicated can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.
Filas said people can take steps to prevent CO poisoning in their homes and businesses in a variety of means.
The easiest is to install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home and check or replace the detector’s battery along with the smoke detector when you change the time on your clocks each spring and fall. Place your detector where it will wake you up if it alarms, such as outside your bedroom.
The CDC suggests buying a detector with a digital readout. This detector can tell you the highest level of CO concentration in your home in addition to alarming. Replace your CO detector every five years.
The most common source CO in a residence is through a faulty furnace or appliances. People are encouraged to have their heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. Also be sure your gas appliances are vented properly. Horizontal vent pipes for appliances, such as a water heater, should go up slightly as they go toward outdoors. This prevents CO from leaking if the joints or pipes aren’t fitted tightly. People should have their chimney checked or cleaned every year. Chimneys can be blocked by debris. This can cause CO to build up inside a home or cabin.
In addition the CDC offers the following tips:
• Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or something else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a gas range or oven for heating. Using a gas range or oven for heating can cause a build up of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal – red, gray, black, or white – gives off CO.
• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors. Using a gas camp stove indoors can cause CO to build up inside your home, cabin, or camper.
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent.
• When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home.
Filas noted that with the beginning of the home heating season, it is important for people to be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning and to schedule preventative maintenance on furnaces and other gas appliances to reduce risks.
