Carbon monoxide poisoning is called the silent killer. How much do you even know about it? There are some interesting statistics about carbon monoxide poisoning that you may be surprised by. Each and every year over 400 people in the United States die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. In addition to the deaths 50,000 people visit the emergency room every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. How can you prevent the members of your family from becoming one of these statistics?

What is Carbon Monoxide & Poisoning?

First let’s talk about what exactly carbon monoxide poisoning is. When there is a plethora of carbon monoxide in the air every time you breath your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide. Over time carbon monoxide builds up in your bloodstream and causes carbon monoxide poisoning. So know you now what carbon monoxide poisoning is but what is carbon monoxide? Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas produced by burning material that has carbon in it. Examples of this are gasoline, wood, propane, or charcoal. If the area where gas is produced does not have proper ventilation you are likely to have a problem with carbon monoxide poisoning. The fact that carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless, and colorless is what makes it a silent killer.

Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

There are many symptoms that can occur when you have had exposure to too much carbon monoxide. Some of the most common symptoms are headache, weakness, dizziness, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness. Other symptoms include chest pain, depression, hallucinations, agitation, fainting, and seizures. If you believe that anyone in your home is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning you will want to get everyone out of your house and into some fresh air. If you have pets in your home you will want to get them out of the house as well.

Health Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

There are some groups of people that are exposure to carbon monoxide is particularly dangerous for. Unborn babies, young children, elderly people, and people with chronic heart disease. Without medical care carbon monoxide poisoning can cause permanent brain damage, heart damage, fetal death, miscarriage, and death. You will want to seek medical care immediately.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The good news is that there are some things you can do to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. The best thing that you can do is install carbon monoxide detectors. We recommend that you put one in the hallway near every bedroom in your home. Burley Electrical Services can help you come and install these in your home. We want to make sure that you do not lose a family member or have any family members suffer from an injury unnecessarily. If there is too much carbon monoxide in your home this detector will sound an alarm. When you hear this alarm you will want to get your family members out of the house immediately and address the problem.

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In addition to installing carbon monoxide detectors you can also make sure that you keep your fuel-burning appliances and engines properly vented; keep your fireplace in good repair if you have one; and use gas appliances as recommended. Following these simple tips will help you keep your family safe. Burley Electrical Services can handle all your electrical needs including hard wiring carbon monoxide detectors. Contact us today!