MONROE — As temperatures continue to drop and daylight time has given way to standard time, Green County Public Health wants to remind residents to take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Now that clocks have been changed, residents should take time to check their carbon monoxide detectors.
On average, carbon monoxide poisoning sends about 500 Wisconsinites to the emergency room each year, according to data from the Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Program. While Green County reports only a handful of carbon monoxide-related emergency visits on average, these trips to the ER for carbon monoxide poisoning are preventable.
To protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide, follow these safety tips:
Make sure carbon monoxide detectors are working. All homes and duplexes in Wisconsin are required to have detectors on every level, including the basement, but not in attics or storage areas. Detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores for $20 to $50. November’s “Fall Back” is a good time each year to replace the batteries in your detector and push the “test” button to be sure it’s working properly. Replace your detector every five years or according to manufacturer instructions.
Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually. Hire a professional to make sure it is functionally sound and vents properly outside the home.
Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or garage. Any heating system that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins and RVs.
Generators should be run at least 20 feet away from the home. Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors.
Never run a car in an enclosed space. Even with a door or window open, carbon monoxide can still build up to an unsafe level.
At high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death within minutes. Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide include headache, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea and confusion. Those who think they may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, or if an alarm sounds, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website at dhs.wisconsin.gov for more information about carbon monoxide poisoning.