What to know about carbon monoxide poisoning as winter approaches
The Virginia Poison Center typically sees a spike in carbon monoxide poisoning cases during the colder months. Carbon monoxide is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer” because many of the early signs of exposure are easy to miss or confuse with other conditions.
December 27, 2022
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By Kate Marino
As the weather turns colder, the Virginia Poison Center at VCU Health sees more kids and adults with carbon monoxide poisoning. National health experts estimate that more than 400 Americans die from breathing too much carbon monoxide each year. Carbon monoxide poisoning – not linked to fires – causes more than 20,000 people to go to the emergency room and more than 4,000 hospitalizations annually.
What is carbon monoxide and why is it so dangerous?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that’s produced when gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuels are burned. Carbon monoxide molecules can displace oxygen in the body. It can build up to a dangerously high level and lead to poisoning when fumes aren’t vented well or gas is released indoors.
Every fuel-burning device can make carbon monoxide gas, including:
- Wood stoves
- Fireplaces
- Furnaces that use gas or oil
- Gas stoves or ovens
- Gas water heaters
- Kerosene heaters
- Car engines
- Generators
Winter is an especially hazardous time for carbon monoxide poisoning because many of these devices are used to heat homes – and windows and doors are generally kept shut during cold weather.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide is sometimes referred to as the “silent killer.” In addition to having no smell or taste, making it difficult to detect, the early signs of exposure are easy to miss or confuse with other conditions.
These early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Fast heartbeat
More serious signs include:
- Vomiting
- Coma
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousnesses
- Heart attack
Small children, people who are pregnant and those with heart disease can be more seriously impacted by carbon monoxide than otherwise healthy adults.
What should you do if you notice symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
If you notice any of these symptoms and it’s possible a child or adult has been exposed to carbon monoxide, get them into an area with fresh air and call the Virginia Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 right away. Specially trained nurses are available 24/7 to provide fast, free guidance.
If the person is unresponsive or has other symptoms of a medical emergency, call 9-1-1.
How can you keep your family safe from carbon monoxide?
The Virginia Poison Center and Safe Kids Virginia teams offer several tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home, ideally on each level and near sleeping areas and furnaces. An alarm will sound to alert you if carbon monoxide is detected. As with smoke detectors, be sure to test and replace the batteries regularly.
- Have your heating system and chimney professionally checked each year to make sure they’re in good working order.
- Do not use your oven or stovetop to heat the home.
- Never run a car in a closed garage, even just for a few minutes.
- Do not use charcoal or gas grills in the house or garage.
- If you use a generator, make sure it’s outside more than 20 feet away from windows and doors leading to the home.
Find more helpful information from the Virginia Poison Center.
A version of this story was originally published by the Advancing Children’s Health Blog at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
