We know you are cold, La Marque. Please be careful. Accidental deaths caused by carbon monoxide poisoning have been reported across Houston this morning.
Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas that can cause sudden illness and death, is produced when fossil fuel is burned.
CO can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it. It's produced any time you burn:
fuel in cars or trucks
small engines
stoves
lanterns
grills
fireplaces
gas ranges
gas furnaces.
SYMPTOMS OF CO POISONING
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
CO symptoms are often described as "flu-like." If you breathe in a lot of CO it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.
WHAT NOT TO DO
Never heat your home using a gas oven or stove.
Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn't vented.
Before you light a fire, open the fireplace damper and keep it open until the ashes have cooled, particularly at night while people are sleeping. Embers can smolder for days, even if they feel cool.
Never use a kerosene space heater in an enclosed space.
Never use a portable generator inside the house, including the garage, basement, or shed. When using a generator, make sure it is outside and at least 20 feet away from the house.
Never use a charcoal or gas grill inside or outside close to open windows or doors.
Never operate a vehicle inside an enclosed space.
WHO IS AT RISK
Everyone is at risk for CO poisoning. Infants, the elderly, people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO.
Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized.
SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention