When the power goes out during a winter storm, people need to rely on alternative sources for heat, cooking, and electricity. Unfortunately, many of these alternatives are combustibles which produce carbon monoxide. This colorless, odorless gas is poisonous to humans and animals and can cause sudden illness or even death when inhaled. Using combustible energy sources in enclosed areas can cause carbon monoxide levels to rise rapidly.

Unfortunately, this is the time of year when reports of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning start appearing on the nightly news, sometimes with tragic consequences. Each year, around 500 people die in the United States from accidental exposure to carbon monoxide. The initial symptoms are similar to the onset of a cold or the flu: headache, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. However, this soon progresses to include chest pain, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, brain damage, and death. People who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before ever even noticing.

To avoid carbon monoxide poisoning during a power outage, follow these tips:

• Do not use gasoline-powered engines in an enclosed area such as a house, garage, basement, trailer, or camper. This includes generators, mowers, weed trimmers, snow blowers, chain saws, and small engines.
• Do not use any petroleum-burning or charcoal-burning devices indoors such as lanterns, hibachis, propane grills, barbecues, charcoal stoves or camp stoves.
• When using a generator or other combustible device, make sure it is outside and far away from any open windows or air intake vents on your home to prevent exhaust fumes from entering.
• If you are using a generator, install a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector near the bedrooms. Make sure the batteries are operational when using the generator.
• Never burn anything indoors to keep warm except in a properly vented fireplace or wood stove. If you have no other way to keep warm, stay with a friend or relative or seek help at a local community shelter.
• Do not use a gas oven to heat your home, even for a short time.
• Never sleep in a room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.
• Never leave a car idling in a in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
• Do not attempt to stay warm by spending the night in a closed car, camper, or motor home with the motor left on.

If you suspect that someone may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, call 911 immediately. Go outside, open all windows and doors and turn off all petroleum powered devices.

If you have questions about keeping your family safe during winter power outages, ask the experts at Healia Health Communities.

_{Sources: Oregon Poison Center, 12/08 http://www.ohsu.edu/poison/; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1996 http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/coftsht.html}

_{Photo: *BGP*, Flickr, Creative Commons}