THE ILLINOIS STATE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE HAS SOME TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR HOME SAFE FROM CARBON MONOXIDE THIS WINTER.
CARBON MONOXIDE, OR “C-O” IS A COLORLESS, ODORLESS GAS THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS SAYS FIRE MARSHAL SPOKESPERSON J-C FULTZ.
YOU CAN HELP PREVENT BUILDUP BY MAKING SURE THE FLUE IS OPEN WHEN YOU USE YOUR FIREPLACE, AND BY NOT USING YOUR GAS RANGE OR OVEN AS A HEAT SOURCE.
SYMPTOMS OF C-O POISONING ARE SIMILAR TO THE FLU AND INCLUDE HEADACHE, FATIGUE, NAUSEA AND DIZZINESS. PETS THAT ARE EXPOSED MAY BECOME SLUGGISH. THOSE AFFECTED OR HEAR THEIR DETECTOR GO OFF ARE ADVISED TO EVACUATE AND CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.
