2023-05-12 18:55:14
MRI warns of carbon monoxide poisoning this Friday. Each year, the silent killer claims more than a thousand victims in Belgium, of which 2 to 3% die.
Under what circumstances is there a danger of CO poisoning?
“Carbon monoxide accidents occur mainly during the heating season, between October and March. Most poisonings occur at home and are caused by heating or hot water production equipment. Individual stoves are more often involved than central heating installations. Bathroom poisonings are usually caused by a gas bath heater. », explains MRI on its website.
However, “CO poisoning can happen in any weather. Ventilation of a room in which a water heater is located is always important. Good ventilation is therefore essential. “The risk of CO poisoning is higher during temperature inversions. It is an atmospheric situation in which a layer of warm air moves over a layer of cold air on the earth’s surface. In this way, the temperature increases with altitude whereas normally it should decrease. Beneath this layer of warmer air, gases such as carbon monoxide (CO) accumulate. In some cases, there is not enough wind to disperse these gases. »
“CO is a poisonous gas. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and non-irritating, which explains its name ” silent killer “. CO is released during the incomplete combustion (due to lack of oxygen) of gas, fuel oil, gasoline, wood or coal. You can sometimes suspect its presence by perceiving the smell of other combustion products. »
The first signs of CO poisoning are headaches, dizziness and nausea, in children often stomachaches. “Think especially of CO when an illness occurs in a bathroom equipped with a gas water heater or when several people present these symptoms at the same time. Without intervention, these symptoms can progress to loss of consciousness and even death.” still writes the IRM on its site.
First aid for CO poisoning
> Ventilate the room: open doors and windows if you can do so without putting yourself in danger.
> Call the emergency services on 100 or 112 and report that you suspect CO poisoning. If the person is unconscious, report it.
> Switch off the appliance, if possible (a charcoal appliance cannot be switched off!)
> Take the victim(s) out of the room.
> Start resuscitation if the victim is not breathing or…
> Place the victim in the lateral safety position, ie lying on their side to prevent them from choking in their vomiting.
When the risk of CO poisoning increases as a result of weather conditions, the IRM issues a public warning via its websitelike this Saturday, and via its weather reports on television.
So be vigilant.
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