1. Fuel-burning appliances: Forced-air furnaces and all fuel-burning appliances (e.g., gas water heaters, gas stoves, gas clothes dryers) should be checked professionally once a year. You should also avoid using gas cooking stovetops and ovens for supplemental heat.
2. Fireplaces & woodstoves: In addition to getting your fireplace checked one a year, you should check to make sure the flue is open during operation.
3. Space heaters: Fuel-burning space heaters should be checked once a year professionally and properly vented during use, according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
4. Automobiles & other motor vehicles: Many states have vehicle inspection programs to ensure that you are regularly inspecting and keeping up with the maintenance of your vehicle exhaust system. Also, remember to never leave an automobile running in the garage or other enclosed spaces because CO can build up in a home even when a garage door is open.
5. Generators & other fuel-powered equipment: You should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when operating generators and other fuel-powered equipment. If your power goes out, you should keep the generator outside at least 20 feet from your house. Portable backup generators produce CO.
6. Barbecue grills & hibachis: Barbecue grills or hibachis should never be used indoors or in poorly ventilated spaces such as garages, campers, and tents.
7. Boats: CO poisoning can mimic symptoms of seasickness so it is important that you schedule regular engine and exhaust system maintenance on your boat. You should also consider installing a CO detector in the accommodation space on the boat and never swim under the back deck or swim platform because CO can build up near exhaust vents.
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Getting treatment
Be aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning:
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- weakness
- confusion
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should call 911 or seek emergency medical help right away.
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Once you’re at the hospital, your treatment may involve:
- Breathing pure oxygen through a mask placed over your nose and mouth or a ventilator if you can’t breathe on your own. This will help oxygen reach your organs and tissues.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves breathing pure oxygen in a chamber in which the air pressure is about two to three times higher than normal. This is used in severe CO poisoning cases and will speed up the replacement of carbon monoxide with oxygen in your blood. This method protects heart and brain tissue, which are particularly vulnerable to injury from carbon monoxide poisoning. It is often recommended for pregnant women because unborn babies are more susceptible to damage from carbon monoxide poisoning.