LANSING, MI (WLMI) – Gov. Rick Snyder, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Consumers Energy and DTE Energy have collaborated to designate Oct. 30-Nov. 5 as Michigan Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week.
In his proclamation, Snyder said that carbon monoxide poisoning sickens thousands of citizens and causes nearly 400 accidental deaths each year in the United States.
Captain Chris Tinney with the Holland Fire Department says make sure appliances and gas fired appliances are maintained like furnaces, water heaters, and gas fired stoves
“Make sure they are burning appropriately or consuming the fuels and they are burning cleaner. And they are vented appropriately too. That’s what we are usually finding. If there is a bird’s nest in the vent or stack you want to make sure those are clear and open. Just that the appliance is drafting appropriately.”
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning often mimic the flu and can include headaches, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and stinging or burning of the eyes. Prolonged exposure can cause loss of consciousness and even death. High concentrations of carbon monoxide can kill in less than five minutes.Carbon monoxide alarms are often combined with smoke alarms and can be purchased at hardware and grocery stores.
If you experience these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, leave your home/the building immediately, call 9-1-1 for medical attention and stay out of the building until the problem has been corrected.
More safety tips can be found here.
