Carbon monoxide is often referred to as the silent killer. The odorless and colorless gas is a byproduct of fuel-burning appliances, such as gas-powered generators or fuel-burning camp stoves, lanterns, gas grills or portable heaters. These items should never be used indoors or in unventilated spaces such as a basement or an enclosed garage.

“Most carbon monoxide poisoning cases happen during colder months,” says Gillian Beauchamp, MD, Vice Chair, Emergency Medicine, Medical Toxicology, LVHN. “Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs due to improperly ventilated appliances or engines, or running a space heater or generator in a tightly sealed enclosed space. Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead to serious illness and even death if not caught.”

Carbon monoxide poisoning signs and symptoms to know

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when there is too much carbon monoxide in the air and your body begins to replace oxygen in your red blood cells with carbon monoxide.

Marianne Smalley, MD, who provides care in the emergency room at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon, says this process is particularly dangerous because exposure to carbon monoxide is not obvious.

“People often aren’t aware they are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, because some of the symptoms may be passed off as less serious illnesses like the cold or flu,” she says.

Some symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include:

• Headache

• Weakness

• Dizziness

• Nausea or vomiting

• Shortness of breath

• Confusion

• Blurred vision

• Loss of consciousness

Carbon monoxide can affect your brain, heart and ability to breathe. It can cause chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms and in severe cases death by cardiac arrest.

If you think you or your family is being exposed to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide, you should immediately get fresh air and seek emergency attention.

How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

The best way to protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to install a carbon monoxide detector. It’s recommended that carbon monoxide detectors be placed on each level of your home and the basement.

Other ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Have your heating system, water heater and other gas, coal or oil burning appliances looked at by a qualified technician yearly.

• Don’t use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove or other gasoline or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, basement or garage.

• Never run a car inside an attached garage, even if you leave the door open.

• Avoid burning anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t vented.

• Don’t heat your home with a gas oven.

• Keep generators, pressure washers or any gasoline-powered engine more than 20 feet from any window, door or vent.

In the event of a carbon monoxide emergency, call 911 immediately. The emergency room at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Carbon is located at 2128 Blakeslee Blvd. Drive E., Lehighton.