Firefighters warn families to be cautious of ‘the silent killer’ – KCCI Des Moines

GOTHNER REPORTS -- THE THREAT BECOMES REAL IN THE WINTERTIME. <24 IT'S COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE SILENT KILLER> DES MOIN FESIRE CAPTAIN CHRIS BOLTEN IS TALKING ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE. COLORLESS, ODORLESS AND TASTELESS -- THE C-D-C SS AY AT LEAST 430 PEOPLE DIE OF C- O POISONING EVERY YEAR. LAST SATURDAY -- IT TOOK THE LIVES OF AN ENTIRE FAMILY. 7 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 3 CHILDREN DIED OF ACCIDENTAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING AT THEIR HOME IN NORTHWEST MINNESOTA. <3 OUR CONDOLENCES GO TO THE FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WITH SUCH A LOSS AND THENF O COURSE THIS CLOSE TO THE HOLIDAYS. 8> AND IT'S MORE LIKELY TO STRIKE THIS TIMEF OYEAR -- AS PEOPLE FIRE UP GAS APPLIANCES IN THE COLD. <52 YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE FURNACE, THE WATER HEATER, THE STOVE, A FIREPLACE, AND PEOPLE ALSO DON'T THINK IF IT'S ATTACHED GARAGE, A VEHICLE INSIDE THAT GARAGE. 1:00> BOLTEN SAYITS 'S IMPORTANT TO INSTALL CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. THE MINNESOTA FAMILY HAD A DETECTOR, BUT ITAS W DETACHED FROM THE WALL -- WITH NO BATTERIES. BOLTEN SAYS IDEALLY INSTALL THEM THROUGHT OU THE HOUSE -- BUT AT LEAST PUT THEM WHERE PEOPLE SLEEP. THE C-D-C SAYS PEOPLE WHO ARE SLEEPING OR DRINKING ALCOHOL MAY NOT NOTICE T HE SYMPTOMS BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. <1:38 IT WOULD BE A HEADACHE, DIZZINESS, WEAKNESS, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, CONFUSION, LOSS OF VISION, D,AN AND IN SEVERE CASES, OBVIOUSLY, LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND LEADING INTO DEATH. 1:49> YIFOU NOTICE ANY OF THOSE SYMPTOMS -- LEAV

Firefighters warn families to be cautious of 'the silent killer'

Updated: 9:50 PM CST Dec 23, 2021

Firefighters are warning people about the dangers of carbon monoxide this winter, the time of year when most poisonings from the colorless, odorless and tasteless gas occur.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventon, at least 430 people die of carbon monoxide poisoning, called a "silent killer," each year. More than 50,000 end up going to emergency rooms.On Saturday, a Minnesota family of seven, including three children, became victims.During the winter, people are more likely to use gas appliances and fireplaces, Des Moines Fire Department Capt. Chris Bolten said. "You're looking at the furnace, the water heater, the stove, a fireplace, and people also don't think (about an) attached garage, a vehicle inside that garage," Bolten said.Bolten says it's important to install carbon monoxide detectors.The Minnesota family had one but it was detached from the wall, with no batteries.Bolten says ideally, people would install them throughout the house. But if you're unable to, it's most important to put them where people sleep.According to the CDC, people who are sleeping or drinking alcohol may not notice the symptoms before it's too late."It would be a headache, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, loss of vision, and, and in severe cases, obviously, loss of consciousness and leading into death," Bolten said. "If you do recognize those symptoms, you should evacuate the premises immediately, notify everybody else inside that structure to get out (and) contact 911."Bolten said it's important to test your detector monthly and to have your heating and cooling systems inspected, as well as your fireplace.

Firefighters are warning people about the dangers of carbon monoxide this winter, the time of year when most poisonings from the colorless, odorless and tasteless gas occur.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Preventon, at least 430 people die of carbon monoxide poisoning, called a "silent killer," each year. More than 50,000 end up going to emergency rooms.

On Saturday, a Minnesota family of seven, including three children, became victims.

During the winter, people are more likely to use gas appliances and fireplaces, Des Moines Fire Department Capt. Chris Bolten said.

"You're looking at the furnace, the water heater, the stove, a fireplace, and people also don't think (about an) attached garage, a vehicle inside that garage," Bolten said.

Bolten says it's important to install carbon monoxide detectors.

The Minnesota family had one but it was detached from the wall, with no batteries.

Bolten says ideally, people would install them throughout the house. But if you're unable to, it's most important to put them where people sleep.

According to the CDC, people who are sleeping or drinking alcohol may not notice the symptoms before it's too late.

"It would be a headache, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, confusion, loss of vision, and, and in severe cases, obviously, loss of consciousness and leading into death," Bolten said. "If you do recognize those symptoms, you should evacuate the premises immediately, notify everybody else inside that structure to get out (and) contact 911."

Bolten said it's important to test your detector monthly and to have your heating and cooling systems inspected, as well as your fireplace.

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Firefighters warn families to be cautious of 'the silent killer' - KCCI Des Moines