{"id":49375,"date":"2011-10-31T15:18:01","date_gmt":"2011-10-31T19:18:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=49375"},"modified":"2011-11-02T08:43:21","modified_gmt":"2011-11-02T12:43:21","slug":"lights-out-know-this-about-co-poisoning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2011\/10\/lights-out-know-this-about-co-poisoning\/","title":{"rendered":"Lights Out? Know This About CO Poisoning"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Photo<\/a>The Connecticut Poison Control Center<\/a> at the University of Connecticut Health Center is issuing a warning about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. With so many power outages across the state, homeowners are trying to keep warm by using their furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces \u2013 all of which produce carbon monoxide.<\/p>\n

Without proper ventilation\/exhaust or in the case of incomplete combustion, heating systems can release dangerous carbon monoxide into the home. A byproduct of burning organic fuels that include oil, gas, wood, coal and kerosene, carbon monoxide has no smell or taste.<\/p>\n

Never use generators, charcoal grills, gas grills, or other gasoline powered tools indoors or in a garage, carport, basement or other enclosed structure. Dangerous levels of carbon monoxide can build up quickly even if doors and windows are open.<\/p>\n

Early symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, nausea, unclear thinking, shortness of breath, weakness, and loss of muscle control. Severe symptoms can include convulsions and unconsciousness that can lead to death.<\/p>\n

Amy Hanoian-Fontana<\/a>, community education specialist with the Connecticut Poison Control Center, strongly recommends the use of carbon monoxide detectors with a battery back-up so it can function during a power outage.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf your detector goes off, or if you experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, go outside immediately,\u201d advises Hanoian-Fontana. \u201cUse your cell phone or a neighbor\u2019s phone to call the poison center or 911.\u201d<\/p>\n

Health care professionals and the public can call the poison center any time \u2013 day or night – at 1-800-222-1222 <\/strong>to report poisonings and get immediate treatment advice from poison specialists.<\/p>\n

Other Poison Prevention Reminders:<\/p>\n