Every day, temperatures are getting lower. Strong winds, inadequate ventilation of rooms, or faulty solid-fuel stoves and gas heaters often cause serious carbon monoxide poisoning.

A week ago, Bolesławiec emergency services were alerted about a dangerous situation that occurred in one of the apartments in the city. A five-person family was taken to hospital, while 13 people living in the same building were evacuated.

Let us remember the danger posed by carbon monoxide and properly secure our houses and apartments; this will help protect our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

It is worth installing a carbon monoxide detector in your house or apartment. The basic function of such a detector is to detect carbon monoxide and generate alarm signals when excessive concentrations are detected in the air. It increases safety in rooms, reduces the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and allows a quick response in a life-threatening situation.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • mild pain, nausea, vomiting, general fatigue and weakness – mild poisoning,
  • worsening headache, drowsiness, impaired consciousness and balance, breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, heart rhythm disturbances – moderate poisoning,
  • convulsions, loss of consciousness – severe poisoning.
  • The weakness and fatigue felt by a person suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, together with impaired orientation and the ability to assess danger, cause them to become completely passive (they do not escape from the place where the poison has accumulated), lose consciousness and—if no one comes to their aid—die.

How can you help someone suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?

  • fresh, clean air must be provided immediately,
  • move the injured person to a safe place in the fresh air as quickly as possible,
  • loosen the injured person’s clothing—undo their belt and buttons, but do not undress them, as they must not be allowed to become chilled,
  • call the emergency services (ambulance service – 999, fire service – 998 or 112); if the poisoned person is not breathing after being taken into the fresh air, immediately begin artificial respiration and chest compressions.