ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Severe winter weather has entered the region and with it, most people think of closing and delays, power outages, traffic accidents, freezing lines and pipes, and downed trees. However, another possible danger not often thought of is carbon monoxide poisoning. UVA Health’s Blue Ridge Poison Center and the CDC have some helpful information to avoid danger to this hidden threat.
According to the CDC, more than 400 people die from Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, more than 100,000 are sent to the emergency room, and over 14,000 are hospitalized every year. CO is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas produced from gas and other household items often used during power outages like oil-burning furnaces, portable generators, and charcoal grills.
“Power outages always bring a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning,” said Christopher Holstege, MD, the Blue Ridge Poison Center’s director. “Since you cannot see, smell, or taste CO, you may not be aware that you are breathing it.”
Symptoms of CO poisoning are described as “flu-like” and include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, loss of consciousness, and death. Very high CO concentrations can cause consciousness loss in only a few breaths. Everyone is at risk, although infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more vulnerable to getting sick.
UVA recommends keeping generators away from the home, as CO can make its way inside. Warming up your vehicle by letting the engine run in the garage, faulty, clogged, or leaky gas furnaces, or chimneys can also cause a dangerous amount of CO to build up.
The Blue Ridge Poison Center encourages anyone who loses power to follow safety steps to prevent CO poisoning:
- Place portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from homes. Never use portable generators in enclosed spaces such as garages, basements, porches, attics, or crawl spaces.
- Don’t use gasoline-powered tools (snow blowers, chain saws) in enclosed spaces.
- Do not use a gas oven, charcoal grill, or camping stove to heat homes.
- Install carbon monoxide alarms.
If you suspect CO poisoning, or if your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, immediately move people and pets to fresh air and call 911. For advice, if someone may have been exposed to CO, call the Blue Ridge Poison Center 24 hours a day, every day: 1-800-222-1222. Calls are free and confidential. For more information on CO poisoning, you can visit the CDC website. You can also report an unsafe product here.