The Glenwood Springs, Colorado Post Independent performed a great public service with an attachment to a story about 10 people being taken to the hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning. Have you taken this information to your local news media?
After telling the "people" part of the story, the newspaper added the following:
Carbon Monoxide 101
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, practically odorless and tasteless gas or liquid.
Sources of carbon monoxide
• Leaking chimneys and furnaces
• Back-drafting from furnaces
• Gas water heaters
• Wood stoves
• Fireplaces
In low concentrations the gas can cause fatigue. At higher concentrations it can cause impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion and nausea and can be fatal.
Steps to reduce CO in your home
• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Do not idle the car inside garage.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
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