| Empire Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1 Montgomery County Station 69C Pottstown Pennsylvania "The original boyz in the hood" |
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| Empire Hook and Ladder Fire Co. No. 1 76 North Franklin Street Pottstown Pennsylvania 19464 (610)-326-2212 EMERGENCY'S DIAL 911 EMAIL WEBMASTER |
Carbon Monoxide
Medical experts agree that carbon monoxide (CO) is dangerous! Hundreds die each
year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Here’s some information to help
protect you and your family.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas which could be created
whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, kerosene, etc.) is burning.
However, sometimes other odors and smells are present with carbon monoxide.
You may be exposed to carbon monoxide gas when:
you leave your car, truck or van engine running
your home contains an incorrectly vented or malfunctioning hot water heater, furnace,
space heater, fireplace or stove
you burn charcoal, alcohol or gasoline in an enclosed tent, camper or room
you smoke a cigar, cigarette or pipe
What are some of the common sources of carbon monoxide?
malfunctioning cooking appliance
tobacco smoke
clogged chimney
auto exhaust
malfunctioning water heater
malfunctioning oil, wood, gas or coal furnaces
malfunctioning gas clothes dryer
wood burning fireplace, decorative fireplace, gas log burner, or any unvented space
heater
other possible sources: appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, lack of
adequate ventilation, pool/spa heaters, ceiling-mounted heating unit,
How does carbon monoxide harm you?
Quite simply, carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from begin used by your body. Carbon
monoxide is poisonous and can harm your central nervous system.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide. However, individuals with
existing health problems such as heart and lung disease and the elderly are especially
vulnerable. Infants, children and pregnant women are also at high risk.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning mimics many common illnesses such as the flu and
food poisoning.
Some of the common symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning are:
headaches
dizziness
weakness
nausea
rapid heartbeat
seizures
cardiac arrest
loss of hearing
blurry vision
vomiting
disorientation
loss of consciousness
coma
respiratory failure
This list is not meant to serve as a diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it is
meant to provide information on carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms. Always check
with your doctor.
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
You should have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected before each heating
season. Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas. Don’t start or
leave running cars, trucks or other vehicles in an enclosed area.
Should I get a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can help alert you to increased level of carbon
monoxide in your home. BUT THEY ARE NOT FOOLPROOF.
These guidelines should be followed:
CALL - if your detector alarm sounds and your are experiencing symptoms of carbon
monoxide poisoning leave your home and immediately call your local emergency
services number or 911.
CHECK - if your detector alarm sounds and you have no symptoms or carbon monoxide
poisoning: first check the detector, push the reset button (if available), turn off any
appliances or other sources of combustion, get fresh air to the building, and check for
sources of carbon monoxide. Adjust, repair or replace as needed by calling a qualified
service company.
Always - if you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and you do no
have a detector, call your emergency services number of 911 immediately.
Medical experts agree that carbon monoxide (CO) is dangerous! Hundreds die each
year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Here’s some information to help
protect you and your family.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas which could be created
whenever a fuel (such as wood, gasoline, coal, natural gas, kerosene, etc.) is burning.
However, sometimes other odors and smells are present with carbon monoxide.
You may be exposed to carbon monoxide gas when:
you leave your car, truck or van engine running
your home contains an incorrectly vented or malfunctioning hot water heater, furnace,
space heater, fireplace or stove
you burn charcoal, alcohol or gasoline in an enclosed tent, camper or room
you smoke a cigar, cigarette or pipe
What are some of the common sources of carbon monoxide?
malfunctioning cooking appliance
tobacco smoke
clogged chimney
auto exhaust
malfunctioning water heater
malfunctioning oil, wood, gas or coal furnaces
malfunctioning gas clothes dryer
wood burning fireplace, decorative fireplace, gas log burner, or any unvented space
heater
other possible sources: appliances in cabins or campers, barbecue grills, lack of
adequate ventilation, pool/spa heaters, ceiling-mounted heating unit,
How does carbon monoxide harm you?
Quite simply, carbon monoxide prevents oxygen from begin used by your body. Carbon
monoxide is poisonous and can harm your central nervous system.
Who is at risk?
Everyone is at risk of being poisoned by carbon monoxide. However, individuals with
existing health problems such as heart and lung disease and the elderly are especially
vulnerable. Infants, children and pregnant women are also at high risk.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning mimics many common illnesses such as the flu and
food poisoning.
Some of the common symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning are:
headaches
dizziness
weakness
nausea
rapid heartbeat
seizures
cardiac arrest
loss of hearing
blurry vision
vomiting
disorientation
loss of consciousness
coma
respiratory failure
This list is not meant to serve as a diagnosis of carbon monoxide poisoning, but it is
meant to provide information on carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms. Always check
with your doctor.
What can I do to protect myself and my family?
You should have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected before each heating
season. Use non-electrical space heaters only in well-ventilated areas. Don’t start or
leave running cars, trucks or other vehicles in an enclosed area.
Should I get a Carbon Monoxide Detector?
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can help alert you to increased level of carbon
monoxide in your home. BUT THEY ARE NOT FOOLPROOF.
These guidelines should be followed:
CALL - if your detector alarm sounds and your are experiencing symptoms of carbon
monoxide poisoning leave your home and immediately call your local emergency
services number or 911.
CHECK - if your detector alarm sounds and you have no symptoms or carbon monoxide
poisoning: first check the detector, push the reset button (if available), turn off any
appliances or other sources of combustion, get fresh air to the building, and check for
sources of carbon monoxide. Adjust, repair or replace as needed by calling a qualified
service company.
Always - if you think you have symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and you do no
have a detector, call your emergency services number of 911 immediately.