Extremely cold temperatures create conditions that could lead to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, according to Warman Fire Chief Russ Austin.
In an interview February 9, Austin said furnace vents on outside walls of buildings may become coated with ice buildup, preventing air flow. When that happens, CO gas may build up inside the home, creating a potentially deadly situation.
“We’re reminding people to check their vents regularly and to knock off any ice buildup as a preventative measure,” said Austin. “It’s a simple thing, but it can make the difference between life and death.”
Austin said modern high-efficiency furnaces which vent out the side of a building have built-in sensors that are designed to detect CO trying to come back into the home.
“But at the end of the day, they’re sensors, and sometimes sensors can fail,” said Austin. “The safety checks built into furnaces and water heaters are not always a perfect system.”
Austin said it’s important to have furnaces and water heaters inspected regularly to ensure vents are working properly.
He noted that while the current building code requires CO detectors in homes,, that’s not the case for homes built prior to 2010.
“But just because it’s not a requirement in older homes, that doesn’t mean they’re not needed,” said Austin. “The fact is CO detectors are very affordable and easy to install. It just makes sense for every home to have a working CO detector.”
He noted that older furnaces that vent through the roof can still have problems if there is a crack in the heat exchanger. Regular inspections can detect these types of problems.
Austin said there have been some close calls.
“We have been dispatched to homes where people have had CO poisoning,” he said. “If your CO detector goes off, call 911 right away. First responders will come. We have equipment that can detect CO levels inside a home and determine if it is safe or not.
“Three years ago, we had one call in Warman where an entire family got CO poisoning. Fortunately, they all recovered.”
He noted the recent incident in Saskatoon where an emergency room doctor detected signs of CO poisoning in a patient led to the Saskatoon Fire Department evacuating dozens of residents of an apartment building in that city.
“That emergency room doctor helped save a lot of lives,” said Austin.
The Warman Fire Chief also advised caution when using older space heaters that may not have modern safety features.
Vehicle fires in garages resulting from faulty block heater cords may also occur in very cold weather, he noted.
What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odorless, tasteless gas produced by burning gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel. Improperly ventilated appliances and engines, particularly in a tightly sealed or enclosed space, may allow carbon monoxide to accumulate to dangerous levels.
Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in your bloodstream. When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death.
Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:
* Dull headache
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Nausea or vomiting
* Shortness of breath
* Confusion
* Blurred vision
* Loss of consciousness
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be particularly dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. People may have irreversible brain damage or even die before anyone realizes there’s a problem.
The warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning can be subtle. But the condition is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you think you or someone you’re with may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek emergency medical care. (Source: www.mayoclinic.org)