The cold weather of winter brings out the warming devices. Fireplaces, gas heaters, and many other burning appliances are capable of creating carbon monoxide.The bloodstream loves carbon monoxide (CO) about 200 times more than it loves oxygen. That means a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning has reduced oxygen to important organs like the heart and brain.
The best protection from carbon monoxide poisoning is to make sure your home is free of the gas. Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
The only treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning is to replace the carbon monoxide in the victim's blood with oxygen. At a minimum, the victim will have to breathe high concentrations of oxygen for a long time to reverse the poisoning. In the worst case scenarios, victims must be treated in barometric chambers.
Learn how to recognize and treat carbon monoxide poisoning.
Photo © Andy Fogg via flickr
