Carbon monoxide poisoning claims the lives of many people each year. The best way to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to take all the necessary safety precautions. These include the following:
- Servicing all the heating systems at home such as chimneys or vents. Hire a professional to inspect and service all your heating systems to make sure they are working properly to prevent any gas leaks.
- Always use portable generators outside regardless of whether your doors or windows are opened. Make sure they are used far away from the house to prevent any sparks that might start fires in the house.
- Don’t barbecue in closed spaces or bring grills inside the house to heat or cook. When using these grills, make sure the place is properly ventilated to prevent any carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms in the house to detect any leaks immediately they happen. Check the alarms regularly to make sure they are working properly. If possible, you should keep spare batteries in your house.
- The carbon monoxide alarms should be installed near all sleeping areas and at least 15 feet away from fuel-burning appliances. In the event of a carbon monoxide leak, the alarm will go off and warn you immediately, especially if you’re sleeping.
- Don’t leave a car engine running inside a garage. Always switch the car off and close the garage. Don’t leave the cars in the ignition because kids might accidentally turn it on.
What Are The Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Another way to keep your family safe is by knowing all the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. That way, if there are any leaks, you can rush your family to safety immediately before any devastating consequences. Remember, carbon dioxide is colourless and odourless.
That makes it hard to detect and in most cases people might not know when they are exposed. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, fatigue, breathing issues, dizziness or nausea. In severe cases of poisoning, the individual might show mental confusion, loss of consciousness, loss of muscular co-ordination, vomiting or death. If you notice a person suffering from these symptoms, you should immediately ventilate the place or rush him/her outside for fresh air.
In conclusion, you should teach your family how to operate the carbon monoxide alarms and what it should sound like when it goes off. Also, you should inform them of the different signs of carbon monoxide poisoning and all the above safety tips to prevent any gas leaks.
Last Updated on June 18, 2018 