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Silent killer: Avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning and death

Carbon monoxide poisoning, especially common during cold weather, kills 430 people every year and causes 50,000 emergency room visits.

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By
Amamda Lamb
, WRAL reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — Carbon monoxide poisoning, especially common during cold weather, kills 430 people every year and causes 50,000 emergency room visits.

Most cases happen when people lose power and turn to alternative heat sources that can be deadly.

If you lose power, you may be tempted to heat your house with your gas stove. Experts say that's not safe, because without power your exhaust fan will not work.

Gas logs are okay, as longs as your chimney flue is wide open.

Most of all: Never bring a gas heater, generator or a grill inside.

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer, according to Dr. Richard Moon, a medical director for Duke’s hyperbaric chamber. He worries when temperatures dip and people lose power that they will inadvertently expose themselves to lethal levels of carbon monoxide.

"You can't smell it or taste it, and it can cause serious problems – unconsciousness, brain damage, and long-term neurological issues," said Moon.

Two teens died in Hoke County in November after carbon monoxide from the running pickup truck they were in seeped into the vehicle.

"Internal combustion engines and any flame, in fact, produces carbon monoxide, which is toxic to the body," said Moon.

In 2020, four members of a family in Selma were poisoned when they brought a gas generator inside to power their home. A grandmother who lived in the Selma home was treated at Duke in their hyperbaric chamber.

"Hyperbaric oxygen. That's breathing oxygen at a high pressure," said Moon. "It can reduce the risk of long-term complications of carbon monoxide."

Again: The gas grill is great for cooking when the power is out, but keep it outside where it belongs. This goes for charcoal grills as well, which also release an unsafe amount of carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is treatable if recognized early. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and weakness.

If you think you’ve been exposed, get away from the environment immediately and seek medical help.

Envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono es muy comun en este tiempo de frio. Mata a 430 personas y manda al hospital 50,000 personas cada año.

Muchos de los casos pasan cuando la gente pierde el gas en casa, y usan otras alternativas para calentarse.

Si pierde la luz, oficiales recomiendan no usar la estufa.

Registros de gas se pueden usar, solo si su chiminea esta completamente abierta.

Lo mas importante, nunca traiga un calentador de gas a su casa. Tampoco una parilla para cocinar.

El Dr. Richard Moon, con el Hospital Duke, dice que cuando las temperaturas bajan, y la gente pierde la luz , gente sin saber los peligros, se exponen al monóxido de carbono.

“No puedes holer, ni probarlo, y causa problemas serios. Perdida de concensia y daño al cerebro,” Dice Moon.

Dos adolecentes en Hoke County murieron en Noviembre de envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono, despues de usar el gas de una camioneta .

“Cualquier motor de combustión interna produce monóxido de carbono, que es muy toxico para el cuerpo, dice Moon.

En 2020, una familia de cuatro en Selma fueron envenados por monóxido de carbono cuando metiero un generador de gasolina en la casa. Una abuela en Selma fue tratada en el Hospital de Duke por envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono.

“Oxígeno hiperbárico, es oxigeno con presion alta, Dijo Moon. “Puede reducir el riesgo de el daño y las complicaciones de envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono.”

Envenenamiento por monóxido de carbono puede ser tratado si es reconocido pronto.

Sintomas incluyen: dolor de cabeza, mareo, nausea, confucion, y debilidad.

Si crés que fuiste expuesto, sal de la casa y vé al doctor.

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