Carbon Monoxide Poisoning- The invisible killer

NEW JERSEY'S LAWS ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS In ________ New Jersey began to require that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all new one- and two-family homes prior to initial occupancy, and upon sale of existing homes.

April of 2003,

Many CO poisoning deaths can be attributed to the use of ____________ during severe weather when power outages are common.

portable generators

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that every year more than __________die from unin- tentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit hospital emergency rooms, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized due to CO poisoning. Death from CO poisoning is highest among Americans age 65 and older (www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm).

400 Americans

NEW JERSEY'S LAWS ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS Carbon monoxide detectors must meet the Underwriters _________ standard. Check the detector's package to make sure the UL-2034 standard is met.

Lab UL-2034

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a _______ gas, produced by the incomplete burning of various fuels, including charcoal, wood, oil, kerosene, propane and natural gas.

colorless and odorless

The severity of symptoms is related to both the CO level and the duration of________

exposure.

NEW JERSEY'S LAWS ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS Carbon monoxide detectors may be battery pow- ered, plugged into electric receptacles, or _________ to the home's electrical system.

hard-wired

Equipment and machines powered by ___________engines and fueled by gasoline or diesel, which include portable generators, cars and lawn mowers, all produce carbon monoxide.

internal combustion

NEW JERSEY'S LAWS ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed and maintained in the immediate vicinity of the ___________

sleeping area(s).

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: ____________ _ Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing and speech impaired.

www.cpsc.gov, call the C.P.S.C.'s

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING?

■ Headache ■ Fatigue ■ Shortness of breath ■ Nausea ■ Dizziness

High-level CO poisoning results in progressively more severe symptoms, including the following.

■ Mental confusion ■ Vomiting ■ Loss of muscular coordination ■ Loss of consciousness ■ Ultimately death

HOW TO PREVENT CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

■ Never use portable generators inside your home, including in basements, open doorways, or in garages. Place generators in outside areas, as far away from your home as possible. ■ Keep idling lawn mowers, snow blowers, lawn edgers, hedge trimmers, and other landscaping equipment away from your home. NEVER put idling equipment in your garage. ■ Never try to heat your home with a charcoal grill. Charcoal grills should NEVER be used indoors. ■ Never use your gas oven to heat your home. Gas ovens emit carbon monoxide and are not designed to heat rooms. If you use foil on the bottom of a gas stove, be sure that it does not cover the open- ings which may interfere with combustion. ■ Never sleep in a room with closed windows and a running and unvented gas or kerosene heater. ■ Make sure appliances are installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals. ■ Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year. ■ Have your chimney inspected and cleaned every year. ■ Never leave a car running in the garage even with the garage door open. ■ In the winter, make sure that your car's exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow. ■ BUY, INSTALL AND MAINTAIN A CARBON MONOXIDE

WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING CO POISONING:

■ Open all of your home's doors and windows, and immediately take everyone in the house out- side into the fresh air. You should then go to a neighbor's house or use your cell phone to call the fire department. ■ Go to an emergency room and tell the doctor that you suspect you may be suffering from CO poisoning. ■ Return to the house ONLY when the source of the CO has been found and fixed.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (C.P.S.C.) reports that on average, close to 170 people in the United States die every year due to CO poisoning from non-automotive consumer products such as:

■ malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; ■ engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; ■ fireplaces; and ■ charcoal-based heating and cooking devices being operated in homes and other enclosed areas.