Prevention is Best Treatment

For Carbon Monoxide Poisonings

The Four Corners Health Department joins the Nebraska Regional Poison Center in offering the following suggestions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Inspect all fuel-burning equipment yearly.
• Vent fuel-burning heaters to the outside.
• Do not use a gas range or an oven for heating a room.
• Never use a charcoal grill or hibachi inside.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your house.
• Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
• Have the vehicle muffler and tailpipes checked regularly.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, shortness of breath, and convulsions.  The first step in treating carbon monoxide poisoning is getting the victim to fresh air.  Then seek medical attention immediately.

“We think about smoke detectors, but forget to install carbon monoxide detectors in our homes”, said Vicki Duey, Executive Director of Four Corners Health Department.  Each year, carbon monoxide poisoning kills nearly 500 people nationwide. 

For more information about the danger of carbon monoxide contact the Nebraska Regional Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 or www.NebraskaPoison.com . 

If you have questions or need other health-related information, give us a call at 402-362-2621/toll free 800-337-3573 or see our website.  Also, on our website complete a free, confidential health assessment to help you in setting and keeping those New Year’s resolutions.