Glamaour Era magazine Glamaour Era India | Page 27
Few areas of the country are immune to natural disasters or
severe weather. Whether you live in a hurricane zone or face
icy winters, it is important to prepare your home and family to
weather the storm and know the potential health and safety
risks that may arise in emergency situations
.
Beyond inconvenience, widespread and long-term power
outages resulting from storms raise a much more serious
concern: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. While the
poisonous gas can come from any fossil fuel-burning appliance
or vehicle, the risk posed by generators is of particular concern
because of this year's devastating storm season
.
"Simple preparation, along with an understanding of the risks
of CO, are key factors for protecting your home and loved ones
both during storm season and throughout the year," said
Tarsila Wey, director of marketing for First Alert. "The risk of
CO can occur anytime - not just during emergencies - which is
why installing and regularly testing CO alarms are an integral
part of any home safety plan.”
"
What is CO ??
Often dubbed "the silent killer," the gas is colorless and odorless,
making it impossible to detect without a CO alarm. According to the
Journal of the American Medical Association, CO poisoning is the No.
1 cause of accidental poisoning in the United States and is responsible
for an average of 450 deaths each year.
CO poisoning is notoriously difcult to diagnose - often until it's too
late. Symptoms mimic those of many other illnesses, and include
nausea, headaches, dizziness, weakness, chest pain and vomiting. In
more severe poisoning cases, people may experience disorientation or
unconsciousness, or suffer long-term neurological disabilities, cardio-
respiratory failure or death.
Sources of CO may include, but are not limited to, generators, heaters,
replaces, furnaces, appliances or cooking sources using coal, wood,
petroleum products or other fuels emitting CO as a by-product of
combustion. Attached garages with doors, ductwork or ventilation
shafts connected to a living space also are sources of CO.