Cold temperatures are upon us, which means more people will be seeking ways to stay warm.

It also means an increased risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Each year, more than 50,000 people seek treatment at emergency departments for carbon monoxide poisoning, and more than 1,000 people will die from the “silent killer.” “When the furnaces are on, it’s also time the carbon monoxide alarms get a checkup,” said Dr. Lindell Weaver, medical director of hyperbaric medicine at Intermountain Medical Center and Intermountain LDS Hospital.

Any fuel-burning heating equipment such as fireplaces, gas stoves, water heaters, furnaces, space heaters, portable generators and chimneys can produce carbon monoxide, Weaver said. A faulty furnace also can produce carbon monoxide, as well as small gas engines, automobile exhaust and other fuel-operated machines running in poorly ventilated areas.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and poisonous gas and undetectable by humans. It can mostly affect the brain and the heart. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion, aches and pains, loss of muscle control and loss of consciousness.

“Unfortunately, some of the symptoms that come with carbon monoxide poisoning mimic COVID and flu-like symptoms,” Weaver said. “If you suspect you or someone in your family have been exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide, you should leave immediately and seek help.”

At Intermountain Health, patients are treated with high-flow oxygen, sometimes in a special room or capsule called a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to reduce the risk of permanent brain damage. However, once poisoned, there is a risk of permanent brain or heart damage. That’s why it’s so important to do everything to prevent carbon monoxide from forming in the first place.

Here are several suggestions you can take to reduce your risk of exposure:

• Schedule an annual checkup for your furnace and hot water heater. It’s important to have all gas-fired furnaces and hot water heaters checked by certified heating and air conditioning professionals annually. Furnaces can crack and become obstructed.
• Every home and business should have a carbon monoxide monitor and alarm. Carbon monoxide monitors and alarms can be hard-wired, battery-powered or plugged in. Most need to be replaced every five to seven years.
• Check any chimney flues for blockage.
• Don’t keep cars running in enclosed spaces, such as garages.
• Be aware of symptoms. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be lethal, sometimes with no advance sign of trouble. This is especially true when people are exposed during their sleep and are unaware or unable to call for help.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/48k4976t.

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