Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal and affects each of us: taking the right actions helps reduce the risks.

2023-12-04 16:54:23

As temperatures drop, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases, linked to the use of heating appliances. These poisonings can also be linked to the use of generators used to produce electricity.

Each year in France, around 1,300 episodes of CO poisoning occur by accident involving nearly 3,000 people. Invisible, odorless and non-irritating, carbon monoxide is undetectable. Simple actions help reduce risks. Particular attention must be paid to the proper use of mobile fuel-fired auxiliary heaters and not to resort to makeshift heating means, which are particularly risky.

To limit the risk of poisoning, take the right actions

Devices using fuels (natural gas, wood, coal, fuel oil, butane, propane, gasoline or oil, etc.) for the production of heat or light are all likely, if their operating conditions are not ideal, to produce carbon monoxide (CO).

For your accommodation

• At least once a year, before winter and absolutely before any restart, systematically check and maintain the heating and hot water production installations (such as boilers), as well as the flues of chimneys or stoves (mechanical chimney sweeping) by a qualified professional in your main and secondary residence if applicable;
• Ventilate your home for at least 10 minutes a day, even if it is cold;
• Keep your ventilation systems in good working order and never obstruct air inlets and outlets;

 

For mobile devices:

• Systematically follow the instructions for using combustion appliances indicated by the manufacturer: only use the recommended fuel, never operate the auxiliary heaters continuously;
• Generators and braziers should never be used inside the home, garage, attic, cellar etc.
• Barbecues or any other cooking appliances must not be used for heating inside a home.

Identify the symptoms correctly

Carbon monoxide is a gas undetectable by our senses because it is odorless, colorless and non-irritating, so spotting the symptoms is essential.

In the event of poisoning, headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness appear more or less quickly and can affect several people within the same household in the presence of combustion appliances. Significant poisoning can lead to coma and death, sometimes within minutes. We must therefore act very quickly:

• Ventilate immediately;
• If possible, turn off combustion appliances;
• Evacuate the premises;
• And call for help by dialing 15, 18 or 112 (and 114 for hearing impaired people) or a poison control center (emergency number 24/24, 7/7):
• ANGERS : 02 41 48 21 21
• BORDEAUX : 05 56 96 40 80
• LILLE : 08 00 59 59 59
• LYON : 04 72 11 69 11
• MARSEILLE : 04 91 75 25 25
• NANCY : 03 83 22 50 50
• PARIS : 01 40 05 48 48
• TOULOUSE : 05 61 77 74 47

  Treatment of poisoned people must take place quickly, from the first symptoms, and may require hospitalization.

A brochure to provide information on the reflexes that protect

The leaflet “Protecting yourself from carbon monoxide poisoning” presents the dangers of this gas, the devices and installations likely to emit CO, as well as good advice to avoid poisoning.

To know more :

Ministry of Health and Prevention

Public Health France information tools

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Contacts presse :

General Directorate of Health

Mission Information et Communication

Tel: [phone]

[e-mail]

Considered

Tel: [phone] / 22 26 / 28 20

[e-mail]

1701733134
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