As winter approaches and we spend more time indoors with our heaters running, I want to talk about a danger that claims hundreds of lives every year. Carbon monoxide gives no warning, even as it poisons you. This invisible, odorless gas is often called "the silent killer," and seniors are disproportionately vulnerable to its effects. Carbon monoxide is also called CO. It is not called CO2, which is a normal and necessary part of breathing.
Every year in the United States, at least 430 people die from accidental CO poisoning, and about 50,000 people go to the hospital from exposure. What makes this even more tragic is that most of these incidents are preventable with proper awareness and safety measures.
Whenever fuel burns, it produces carbon monoxide. Whether a vehicle, fireplace or woodstove, furnace, water heater, gas stove, or other household appliances, anything that uses combustion creates CO. Yes, this includes those propane heaters that claim to be safe indoors. If there's a flame, there's CO. When these devices work properly and are well-ventilated, there's usually no problem. However, malfunctioning equipment or poor air movement can cause CO to build up indoors. A buildup of CO may lead to serious illness at an unpredictable pace.
The tricky part about CO is that you can't see, smell or taste it. The early symptoms often feel like a cold or the flu headaches, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Many people mistake these warning signs for other illnesses, which makes CO particularly dangerous for people with vulnerable immune systems.
Prevention is easy but requires diligence. The most important step is installing CO alarms on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. You can find these devices, which cost about $20 to $50, at most local hardware stores. Test them monthly and replace their batteries twice a year. You can also buy ones that have 10-year batteries so you never have to change them for their life. Another great tool is a combination smoke/CO alarm, also sold locally and online.
Regularly maintaining fuel-burning appliances is also important. Have a qualified technician inspect your gas, oil or coal-burning appliances every year. Heating systems, water heaters and dryers are often operated by fuel. Never try to heat your home with your gas stove, and don't run generators or grills inside your house, garage or carport even if the door is open. In fact, don't run them within 25 feet of your house to be safe.
If your CO alarm sounds or you suspect poisoning, don't try to find the source. Get everyone outside immediately into fresh air and call 911. Don't go back inside until emergency responders say it's safe. If you experience symptoms, seek medical attention right away. Medical providers typically treat carbon monoxide poisoning by having the patient breathe pure oxygen. In severe cases, they may use special pressure chambers.
Remember, CO poisoning is preventable. Don't put off having your heating systems checked and make sure your carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. There are many EMS calls all over Alaska for sick people that turn out to be CO poisoning and they didn't realize it. Having working alarms is the most important part. That way, if an appliance fails, you can get out right away. If you live alone, consider asking a family member or neighbor to help you with regular maintenance checks. Your life could depend on these simple precautions.
Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaska resident with over 25 years of public safety and public service experience. He is the City of Houston Fire Chief and serves on many local and state workgroups, boards and commissions related to safety. He lives in Big Lake with his wife of 20 years and their three teenage sons.
