More than 150 people in the U.S. die every year from accidental non fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning.
Like fire, carbon monoxide (CO) is just as deadly. It’s called the silent killer because it’s colorless, odorless and invisible. More than 150 people in the United States die every year from accidental non fire-related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators. When you breathe in CO, it makes you feel nauseous, dizzy, head-achy, and tired like you have the flu. It also makes it difficult to think clearly. CO poisons the body by removing oxygen in the blood stream, slowing suffocating you and eventually causing unconsciousness and even death.
Winter snows can create drifts that block exhaust vents, forcing CO to back-up into your home. High efficiency appliances and those with power-vent blowers by definition waste less heat, so the exhaust air temperature is very low. Often it is too low to melt snow or ice in a plugged exhaust pipe or vent. Keep sidewall and direct vents clear of obstructions, drifting snow and bushes to provide proper ventilation.
Where does CO come from?
Heating equipment is the leading cause of CO incidents. It can also come from hot water heaters, gas stoves, gas dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces, and from cars, lawn mowers, snow blowers or generators running inside the garage – even with the door open. A large number of CO incidents take place between the months of November and February and between 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. This is the time when most heating equipment is being used at home.
Facts & figures
- The dangers of CO exposure depend on a number of variables, including the victim’s health and activity level. Infants, pregnant women, and people with physical conditions that limit their body’s ability to use oxygen (i.e. emphysema, asthma, heart disease) can be more severely affected by lower concentrations of CO than healthy adults would be.
- A person can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a longer period of time or by a large amount of CO over a shorter amount of time.
- In 2010, S. fire departments responded to an estimated 80,100 non-fire CO incidents in which carbon monoxide was found, or an average of nine such calls per hour. The number of incidents increased 96 percent from 40,900 incidents reported in 2003. This increase is most likely due to the increased use of CO detectors, which alert people to the presence of CO.
What to do if you suspect CO exposure
- Get out of the house or car and get fresh air.
- Call the fire department or 911 from a neighbor’s house.
- If you have symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
For more information on carbon monoxide safety, please visit the National Fire Protection Association or the United States Fire Administration websites.
>>> More from E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety
With the winter of 2015 wearing on with increasingly frigid temperatures, State Fire Marshal Richard Miller urges fire safety for all Michiganders, especially the elderly who are most at risk when it comes to fire.
“It is so important to talk about fire safety with our elderly parents, grandparents, friends or neighbors,” said Miller. “Start with making sure they have working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Go over fire safety practices and develop a fire escape plan with them. These are the things that will have the greatest impact on their ability to prevent or survive a fire.”
Miller said non-working or missing smoke alarms were the common reasons for many of Michigan’s home fires and related fatalities, and noted that having working smoke alarms may reduce the risk of dying in a fire by as much as 60 percent.
“Install smoke alarms next to sleeping areas and on every level of the home. Interconnect them so when one sounds, they all do,” said Miller. “Test alarms monthly and change batteries annually. For the deaf or hard of hearing, consider installing smoke alarms that use a flashing light or a bed shaker to alert them of a fire emergency.”
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, adults over age 65 are more than twice as likely to die in fires. Seniors over age 85 are more than four times as likely to die in a fire. Older adults are at higher risk because their ability to respond to or escape a fire is often slower due to physical limitations.
Many precautions can be taken to help ensure fire safety, including:
Smoking safety
- Smoking is the number one cause of home fires that kills older adults.
- Smoke outdoors when permissible and never smoke when using medical oxygen or near the presence of oxygen tanks.
Cooking safety
- Fires caused by cooking are the leading cause of fire-related injuries in the elderly.
- Never leave cooking unattended.
- Wear short sleeves or roll them up so they don’t catch on fire.
- Never lean over a lit burner.
- Keep anything that can burn away from the stove.
- If a pan catches fire, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner.
- Turn off the stove if you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time.
Electrical safety
- Have a licensed electrician inspect the electrical system to be sure it is safe and meets the applicable Michigan Electrical Code requirements.
- Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or light fixture.
- Plug major appliances directly into a wall outlet.
- Do not use cracked or worn extension cords; do not overload cords.
Heating safety
- Have the furnace inspected by a professional every year.
- Never use the oven or stove to heat your home.
- Unplug a space heater if you leave the room or go to bed; keep it at least three feet away from anything that can burn.
- Make sure the heater has an automatic shut-off if it tips over.
Candle safety
- Never leave candles unattended.
- Place them in sturdy holders away from anything that can burn.
- Never use them in bedrooms or where medical oxygen is being used.
- Always use a flashlight, not a candle in an emergency.
Practice an escape plan
- Know and practice two ways out of every room in your home.
- Practice unlocking and opening the windows and doors.
- If you use a wheel chair or walker, check all the exit routes in advance to be sure you can get through doorways. If not, map out acceptable escape routes and discuss your escape plans with your family, the building manager or neighbors.
- Keep eyeglasses, keys, hearing aids, and a phone within reach next to your bed.
- Your first priority in fire is always to get out and stay out. Do not stop to call the fire department until you are safe outside.
- Never try and fight the fire yourself and do not stop to gather personal belongings.
- If there’s smoke, stay as low to the floor as possible and cover your mouth.
- If in an apartment building or nursing home, always use the stairways to get out – never use the elevator.
- Call for 911 if you cannot escape or are attempting to get out.
Adults over age 60 comprise 20 percent (20.2%) of Michigan’s population. More than 32 percent (32.8%) of all Michigan households have someone age 60 or older living in them.
If you know of someone who is in need of a free smoke alarm or have questions about smoke alarms, email [email protected].
With the frigid temps, the United States Fire Administration and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety offer these tips to keep you and your family safe as you heat your home this winter.
