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| Spokane Fire - Media Release |
Thursday September 9 - 6:51 AM |
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| Information |
| Date : |
Address : |
Officer : |
| 12/18/2009 |
44 W. Riverside Ave. |
Jan Doherty/Public Education Officer |
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| Narrative : |
| Winter months raise the hazard level of carbon monoxide poisoning and Spokane Fire Department has responded to two serious events in the past few days. Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, nausea and irregular breathing. Carbon monoxide poisoning causes about 500 deaths, 4,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. each year.
CO poisoning first affects infants and young children as well as elderly persons.
In addition, the long-term effects of CO poisoning include memory loss, lung and heart problems, and impaired motor skills.
Spokane Fire Department recommends that every household equipped with any type of fuel-burning devices (e.g. furnace, water heater, gas stove, or fireplace) install at least one carbon monoxide detector. It is best if the devices have LED windows that show the actual parts per million of carbon monoxide to oxygen when it sounds the alarm.
When the alarm sounds and If anyone is feeling sick, get everyone outside to fresh air before calling 9-1-1.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is often referred to as “the silent killer” because carbon monoxide cannot be seen, tasted or smelled. In Congressional testimony on December 17, Cheryl Burt of Rochester MN relayed the devastating effects of carbon monoxide poisoning on her family. Fourteen years ago, two preschoolers died in their sleep as the mother tried to tend to them and a third son, thinking they were suffering from the flu. In fact, a malfunctioning furnace had vented dangerous levels of CO throughout the home for several days. A working carbon monoxide detector would have sounded the alarm early in this process and saved the family. By coincidence, Ms. Burt had debated whether to buy a carbon monoxide detector or another toy for Christmas that year. She said at the hearing that “I opted to buy my son another toy truck instead. Now I have the truck, but I don’t have my son.”
During this holiday season, we have the opportunity to increase the level of safety for family and friends by installing carbon monoxide detectors.
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Spokane Fire Department  44 West Riverside Ave Spokane WA, 99201 (509) 625-7002 |
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©1997 - 2002, Spokane Fire Department - City of Spokane, Washington
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