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Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from the American Red Cross.

Just like home fires, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can affect anyone and is dangerous. CO is an odorless, colorless gas. People are not usually aware of its’ presence and can get sick or die from breathing in the poisonous gas. Carbon monoxide poisonings occur daily across the country and can happen after any emergency. CO poisonings often increase during power outages as people depend on generators and grills. But we can take action to prepare. Prepare now to protect yourself, your loved ones and your home.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

• Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas sometimes called “The Invisible Killer.”
• CO kills hundreds of people each year and injures thousands more.
• You cannot see, smell or hear it.
• You can be poisoned by a small amount of CO over a long period of time OR by a large amount of CO over a short amount of time.

Where is Carbon Monoxide Found?

• Generators
• Fuel-fired room heaters
• Engine powered cars and trucks
• Small engines such as lawn equipment
• Fuel-fire lanterns
• Fuel-fire grills
• Fireplaces
• Gas ranges and stoves
• Furnaces and boilers
• Fuel-fired water heaters

What are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?

Symptoms vary based on a number of factors, including body size, breathing rate and physical condition. CO poisoning symptoms affect the most vulnerable first including children, pets, older adults, pregnant women and those with medical conditions. The initial symptoms are often described as “flu-like” and can include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Mental confusion
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Trouble breathing
• Feeling tired

If left untreated, CO poisoning can progress into permanent organ damage and at high levels can quickly kill you. If you have been exposed to CO it is important to get a blood test within 4 hours of the exposure.

Home Safety:

• Make sure all gas appliances are vented properly.
• Have all heating systems (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually by a professional using a portable CO detector. Inspections should check for blockages, corrosion, and disconnections.
• Never use a charcoal or gas grill inside your home, garage, vehicle, tent or semi- enclosed space like a porch.
• Never leave a car running inside a garage, even if the garage door is open.
• Do not use portable generators inside your home, basement, garage, crawlspace, shed, or in a semi-enclosed space like a porch.
• Generators, as well as any other equipment with an engine in it, should be used at least 20 feet away from your home.
• Do not use a gas range or oven to heat your home.

Prevention:

• If you are alerted by either a CO alarm or detector, evacuate immediately.
• Get everyone in the household, including pets, outside immediately to your meeting place. Call 911 once you are outside. Do not go back inside until emergency responders say it is safe.
• Document your CO alarm and detectors expiration date. Over time, sensors and batteries expire and become less effective. Replace them following manufacturer guidelines.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

Information for safely evacuating your equine friend(s) from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

Preparing horses for a wildfire evacuation requires an extra level of planning, preparedness and practice. Building an evacuation kit for each horse, just like you have for your house pets, and having a plan for them that has been practiced, increases the potential your horse(s) will be able to leave when you do. If the wildfire’s proximity does not permit the time needed to load horses, it is best to turn them loose and not leave them confined in a barn or pasture, make sure to remove their halter prior to releasing them. Close the doors and gates so they can’t re-enter the area once they are out.

Evacuation Preparedness –

Practicing your evacuation route using your horse trailer ensures it is compatible with the road’s width and grade on each potential exit route from your home. A stuck trailer could prevent others from using the same path to safely evacuate. It is important to know any limitations before leaving your property during a wildfire. Always take into consideration that large animals take extra time to evacuate. If you do not have trailer space for all your horses, have a plan that includes neighbors, friends or relatives that have trailers and can help; or identify an animal emergency response team, or for hire service that will assist with short notice.

Trailers:

• Make sure your vehicle is set up to tow the horse trailer.
• Make sure your trailer is in road-worthy condition.
• Practice loading your horse in the trailer prior to an evacuation.

If you are unable to evacuate with your horse(s), but have time, using one of the methods below may help animal rescuers reunite you quicker with the horse(s):

• Use a livestock crayon to write your name, phone number and address on the horse(s).
• Braid a temporary ID tag with pre-written contact info into the horse’s mane.
• Attach a leg band with your phone number pre-printed on it to the lower part of their leg, above the hoof.

Just as humans prepare, it is important to have horses ready year-round for a potential wildfire evacuation.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

Important information for older adults about fire safety from the U.S. Fire Administration:

People ages 65 and over have an increased risk of dying in a fire. Having physical or mental impairments, using chemical substances such as medicines and alcohol, and living with smokers or in substandard housing are some of the risk factors that make older adults more vulnerable to fire injury and death.

• Know two ways out of every room. Practice using both ways.
• Remove any items that may block your way out of the room or your home.
• Discuss your fire escape plan with family and neighbors. Contact your building manager or fire department to discuss your plan if you need extra help escaping.
• Keep eyeglasses, keys, hearing aids and a phone within reach next to your bed.
• Practice your home fire escape drill twice a year.

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.