Beware of CO dangers during power outages

VANCOUVER – Vancouver Coastal Health is reminding the public to pay extra attention to the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning during the windstorms predicted to pass through BC today.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly. Possible power outages may prompt residents to use gas generators, propane or charcoal heat sources inside their homes or garages to cook or keep warm, creating situations for carbon monoxide poisoning to occur. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of poisoning death in North America.

Carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in the human body and acts as a poison to virtually all tissues, causing the nervous system and heart to shut down. Common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, nausea, dizziness, loss of coordination, and drowsiness. Exposure to high concentrations of CO can lead to unconsciousness, brain damage and death.

The young, elderly, people with heart disease and those taking medication or who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol may be particularly susceptible to carbon monoxide poisoning.

The following are some simple steps people can take to prevent succumbing to the silent killer:

• Be aware of sources of possible CO poisoning. CO detectors should be installed in all enclosed spaces such as homes, garages and boats. They should be considered in the same category as smoke detectors. Most hardware or home maintenance stores sell these detectors.
• Never use an outdoor propane or charcoal barbecue indoors.
• Space heaters fuelled by methane, propane and other gases all produce CO. They are not a safe way to provide heat indoors. They are safe only for providing local heat in an outdoor or well ventilated area.
• Generators powered by gasoline, propane, diesel, of any other form of combustion should never be used indoors or in a closed or partially enclosed garage during a power outage.
• CO can be drawn into a house through open windows and air intake vents. Generators should not be operated outdoors close to vents or open windows.
• If at any time you or a member of your household feel dizzy or nauseous after using a gas-powered space heater, turn off the heater, leave the building immediately and seek medical attention.

VCH is responsible for the delivery of $2.9 billion in community, hospital and residential care to more than one million people in communities, including Richmond, Vancouver, the North Shore, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky corridor, Powell River, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Trudi Beutel
Public Affairs Officer
Vancouver Coastal Health
Phone: 604-708-5282
Cell: 604-812-1847
Trudi.Beutel@vch.ca