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Beware, Symptoms Of CO Poisoning Can Mimic Other Illnesses

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Beware, Symptoms Of CO Poisoning Can Mimic Other Illnesses

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Chillier weather in Connecticut this week has people turning up the heat and possibly increasing their chances of harming themselves and their families. Emergency physicians are warning the public of the dangers of carbon monoxide, or CO, an odorless and colorless gas found in the emissions of fireplaces, gas stoves, water heaters, kerosene heaters, furnaces and boilers.

“If you get bad headaches or suffer from fatigue, nausea, dizziness, or confusion you may easily confuse those symptoms with the flu,” said Dr Brian Keaton, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “So it’s very important that people know the symptoms of dangerous levels of gas in their homes and, more importantly, know how to prevent the buildup of CO in their homes in the first place.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 500 Americans die each year from unintentional CO poisoning. Severe symptoms of CO poisoning include vomiting, loss of consciousness, heart irregularity, and breathing difficulties, but these symptoms can vary widely based on the exposure level, duration, and the health and age of an individual.

“Every home should have a carbon monoxide detector and you should never ignore the alarm or turn it off without having the sources of CO checked in your home,” said Dr Keaton. “It is much better to be safe than sorry when dealing with CO because it can be very dangerous.”

To protect your family this winter, ACEP provides the following safety advice:

*Install a carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home, especially near the sleeping areas

*Have gas appliances installed by a qualified professional

*Use only appliances that vent fumes outside

*If you choose to use an unvented fuel-burning space heater, only use it while someone is awake to monitor it

*Never use a gas range or oven to heat a home

*Never use a charcoal grill inside

*Never leave the motor running of a vehicle parked in an enclosed garage

*Turn on the exhaust fan over your gas stove when using it

*Make certain the fireplace flues are open during use

*Have gas furnaces, water heaters, clothes dryers, fireplaces and flues inspected annually by a qualified service technician

The ACEP is a national medical specialty society representing emergency medicine with more than 25,000 members committed to advancing emergency care through continuing education, research, and public education.

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