It’s cold, very cold. And dropping temperatures means heating up to full blast. With an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Every winter, this highly toxic gas frequently causes poisoning in individual homes or in communities, with potentially very serious consequences. Every year in France, carbon monoxide poisoning claims the lives of more than a hundred people. But with the right reflexes, it is possible to protect yourself. 20 minutes gives you instructions to follow.
What is carbon monoxide and where does it come from?
Carbon monoxide comes from improper use of appliances or combustion engines running on wood, coal, gas, gasoline, fuel oil or ethanol. It can be emitted by devices such as boilers, stoves, fireplaces and inserts, heating appliances, generators, certain barbecues or even thermal engine vehicles such as cars or lawn mowers. The vast majority of carbon monoxide poisoning, which is caused by insufficient ventilation, occurs at home.
One of the major problems linked to carbon monoxide is that “this gas is odorless, colorless and non-irritating, it is therefore very difficult to detect”, specifies Commander Nathalie Crispin, spokesperson for the Paris Fire Brigade. .
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The action of carbon monoxide can be very rapid and the symptoms vary depending on the duration of exposure to this gas. After being breathed, it attaches to hemoglobin and takes the place of oxygen in the blood. “Carbon monoxide causes headaches, nausea and dizziness,” adds Commander Crispin. And if several people are in a room contaminated with monoxide, they will develop the same symptoms at the same time.” Symptoms which can go as far as muscular paralysis and mental confusion. In the most serious cases, carbon monoxide poisoning can, in just a few minutes, cause coma or even death.
What to do in case of carbon monoxide poisoning?
“We start by ventilating the room we are in by opening doors and windows, before alerting the emergency services,” recommends Commander Nathalie Crispin. Then we evacuate the premises where we are as quickly as possible.” A little reminder for the emergency numbers: 112, the single European emergency number; the 18th for the Fire Department and the 15th for the Samu. And before returning to the scene, we wait until we have received advice from a professional or the firefighters.
How to protect yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning?
With a few simple measures and vigilance, it is possible to minimize the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. The first thing to do is to ventilate your interior for ten minutes every day, even in the event of extreme cold, and to take care not to obstruct the ventilation in your home.
Other precautions to take before the start of winter: “check your water heater and heating installations, have the chimneys swept and above all, do not constantly use auxiliary heating”, prescribes Commander Crispin. We also take care not to place generators inside a building.
“Finally,” concludes Commander Crispin, “it is also advisable to place a carbon monoxide detector near your water heater.”