Is it Flu or Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

From Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service

Carbon monoxide cannot be detected by human senses. The only safe way to detect it is to properly install CO alarms in the right locations in the home. Surprisingly, 75 million American homes do not have CO alarms. In addition to installing CO alarms, watch for these symptoms of CO poisoning:

MINOR SYMPTOMS

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Irritability
• Blurred vision

MODERATE SYMPTOMS (in addition to minor symptoms)

• Drowsiness
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Severe headache
• Difficulty thinking

SEVERE SYMPTOMS (in addition to moderate symptoms)

• Increased heart rate
• Loss of consciousness
• Convulsions/seizure

During winter the chance of CO poisoning increases so please make sure to ask the question “Is it flu or CO poisoning?” Don’t wait until it’s too late to install CO alarms. For more information, visit www.knowaboutCO.com