Fairfield, NJ – A Fairfield family of four was evacuated from their home Thursday and transported to a nearby hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning by the West Essex First Aid Squad, Police say.
When Fairfield Police Officers arrived at the Pier Lane home shortly after 4 a.m., they found a 47-year-old woman having convulsions. While the officers were at the scene, three other members of the household began to complain of feeling light-headed, headaches and difficulty breathing, Fairfield Police Deputy Chief Anthony Manna said.
Members of the West Essex First Aid Squad arrived on scene shortly after, where they discovered dangerous levels of the deadly gas in the residence.
The house was immediate evacuated. The family of four was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson for treatment. No emergency responders required treatment. The source of the carbon monoxide was traced to a faulty hot water heater in the basement.
There were no working carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
This situation emphasizes all too clearly the importance of having and maintaining smoke and carbon monoxide detectors as we narrowly averted a tragedy said Deputy Chief Anthony Manna.
Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
As many as 500 people in the United States die every year from unintentional Carbon Monoxide poisoning, while thousands more are sickened by the deadly gas, Forbes reports. The deadly gas is colorless, odorless, and cannot be detected by human substances. The gas is created when fuel burns incompletely, the NFPA stated.
According to the Mayo Clinic,symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dull headaches, weakness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, and/or loss of consciousness.
The Consumer Reports website suggests that smoke and CO detectors should be tested weekly and vacuumed monthly, Deputy Chief Manna added. The alarms on these detectors have a limited life. They suggest that CO alarms be replaced every five years and smoke detectors every ten years.
The winter season poses the highest risk for carbon monoxide poisoning, due to an increased use of home heating equipment that may pose a threat if used incorrectly, the National Fire Protection Association reports.
The NFPA offers the following tips for preventing carbon monoxide poisoning. More helpful resources can be found here.
Move your car out of the garage before warming it up. Never run a fueled engine indoors, even if the garage doors are open. Clear snow and blockages from your exhaust pipe immediately.
Never use your own stove to heat your home.
During and after a snowstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are clear of snow build-up. Be sure to clear all debris from dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace vents.
Generators should only be used outdoors, in a well-ventilated location away from windows, doors, and vent openings
Never use a gas or charcoal gril inside, as these appliances produce CO.
Have your chimney and heating equipment inspected by a professional every year before the cold weather sets in.
Open the damper when using a fireplace to allow for adequate ventilation.
In addition, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offers these safety tips for safely operating in-home heat equipment, such as space heaters. Click here for more information.
Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home.
Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent unless it is specifically designed for use in an enclosed space and provides instructions for safe use in an enclosed area.
Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill and tools. Always refer to the owners manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning equipment.