How to Protect Yourself from Being Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide

Poisoning from carbon monoxide (CO) happens when there is an accumulation of carbon monoxide in the bloodstream. CO is not the same as carbon dioxide (CO2), which is produced when all creatures breathe out their air. CO is a hazardous gas that is typically produced as a by-product during the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, propane, natural gas, charcoal gasoline, or wood. It has a binding affinity for red blood cells that is approximately 300 times stronger than oxygen. When you breathe in carbon monoxide, you poison the red blood cells, rendering them unable to carry out their function of delivering oxygen (O2) to your body’s tissues and brain. This occurs as soon as the CO enters your lungs. This can result in severe damage to the tissues, and in some cases even death.

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is formed whenever any fuel is burned, whether it be gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, or any type of fuel. This gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Appliances and engines that do not have enough ventilation can produce deadly quantities of carbon monoxide, particularly when they are used in an area that is hermetically sealed or otherwise confined. To put it another way, here is where the risk lies.

The following passage demonstrates that carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious risk in the United States:

We used hospitalization data spanning the years 2003 to 2013, as well as emergency department data spanning the years 2007 to 2013. We computed trends using a linear regression of UNFR CO poisonings throughout the course of the research period. Age-adjusted rates were determined using direct standardization and estimates from the United States Census Bureau. Throughout the years 2003-2013, about 14,365 people with confirmed or suspected UNFR CO poisoning were admitted to hospitals at a rate of 4.1 cases per million year. The annual rate of poisonings exhibited a modest decreasing trend (p = 0.12) during this same time period. During the years 2007-2013, a total of roughly 101,847 patients (48.3 visits per million annually) were seen at the emergency department (ED), and the yearly rate of poisonings shown a statistically significant decline (p 0.01). Patients who were older (between the ages of 45 and 64), white, male, or who lived in the South or Midwest accounted for the majority of UNFR CO hospital cases…

This highlights the importance of making preventative actions… a rise in the usage of CO detectors, as well as the correct operation and maintenance of fuel-powered home equipment.

How to Avoid Being Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide?
Ensure that all of your fuel-burning appliances and engines have adequate ventilation. These are the following:

-Heaters for the space
-Furnaces
-Grills that use charcoal
-Cooking ranges
-Water heating systems
-Fireplaces
-Portable generators
-Appliances that burn wood
-Engines for automobiles and trucks

It is of the utmost significance to us that you acquire and have put a carbon monoxide alarm in each and every sleeping room, as well as in each and every common corridor, as well as a smoke detector at a spot that is comparable. This will sound an alarm if there is a buildup of the deadly gas, and the smoke alarm will sound if there is smoke or smoldering wood or other combustibles in the residence.

As the image on the right demonstrates, they are easily available for purchase at Home Depot. You could also want to look for an alarm that combines the two functions into a single unit and call it a combo alarm. Are these alarms reasonably priced? No. However, it was well worth it.

If you suspect that your chimney or fireplace is having some issues, have an expert inspect it. Call Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today. We also offer Chimney Cleaning Stirling City and other affordable services.

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