Kankakee, IL – Six people were hospitalized on Tuesday morning with carbon monoxide poisoning because of a faulty water heater at an east Kankakee duplex.
Kankakee firefighters were dispatched to the 2700 block of Cranbrook Street after Riverside Medical Center admitted the patients, fearing more people would be affected.
Firefighters measured carbon monoxide levels of 200 parts per million in a unit that housed a family of two adults and three children. Fire Capt. Eric Boness said people start showing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning at 10 parts per million.
Carbon monoxide levels were so strong, it permeated into the adjacent unit, causing a 59-year-old woman to be hospitalized.
Firefighters later learned a faulty water heater caused the high carbon monoxide levels.
All six patients were treated and released, but the situation could have been prevented.
“Both units had activated carbon monoxide detectors, but they thought they had a bad battery and took them out a couple days ago because of the beeping,” Boness said. “We’re lucky we’re not pulling out six bodies today.”
Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless. With furnace season approaching, Boness warns renters and homeowners to assure they have functional smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
“By law, every residence is required to have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors,” Boness said. “Carbon monoxide can kill you in your sleep without you even knowing it. A nine-volt battery is the cheapest form of life insurance you will ever buy.”
If you are unsure about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, contact the Kankakee Fire Department at 815-933-0450.