01/18/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/18/2023 07:23
The National Weather Service's forecast for freezing temperatures this week leaves residents vulnerable to cold. The Monterey County Health Department would like to remind everyone to keep warm safely.
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To protect yourself and your family in cold weather, remember to wear several layers of clothing, add extra blankets to beds and be alert for the symptoms of exposure. Monitor family members and those around you who are at greatest risk from exposure, such as seniors, young children and people with underlying illnesses or chronic conditions.
Every year there are reports of people who were sickened by carbon monoxide when they brought barbeques into the house for additional warmth. These events should remind us to be careful when dealing with any fuel-burning appliance.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous and odorless gas that does not irritate, but can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable" says Dr. Edward Moreno, Health Officer for the Monterey County, "Generators, grills, camp stoves, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices should never be used inside a home, basement, garage, or camper - or even outside near an open window."
Follow these tips to avoid accidental injury or death from carbon monoxide:
Get to know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
At moderate levels, you or your family can get severe headaches, become dizzy, mentally confused, nauseated, or faint. You can even die if these levels persist for a long time. Low levels can cause shortness of breath, mild nausea, and mild headaches, and may have longer-term effects on your health. Since many of these symptoms are similar to those of the flu, food poisoning, or other illnesses, you may not think that carbon monoxide poisoning could be the cause.
Don't ignore symptoms, especially if more than one person is feeling them. If you believe you or someone else is experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning: