DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/13/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 West Riverside
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201
NARRATIVE: Poison Prevention Week, which runs from March 15-21, provides an opportunity for families to take steps to protect themselves from household poisons. Families, especially those with small children, are most often concerned about the toxins stored in medicine cabinets or locked away under the kitchen sink. But with the cold weather and recent incidents, we want to remind you of one life-threatening poison that may not come to mind--carbon monoxide (CO).
Odorless, colorless and tasteless, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America, claiming 500 lives and sending another 20,000 to the hospital every year (CDC).
A by-product of combustion, carbon monoxide can build up in the home when household fuel-burning appliances, such as furnaces, fireplaces, and generators, aren't properly ventilated or maintained. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, nausea, and dizziness, and it can often mimic the flu. Having a working CO alarm is the ONLY safe way to detect this poisonous gas in your home, but studies show that most homes don,t have one.
Washington legislators are currently considering steps to help keep families safe from CO by introducing a bill that would require carbon monoxide alarms in homes. I encourage homeowners to act now to ensure maximum protection for your family. If you haven,t already, be sure to install a CO alarm on every level of your home specifically near sleeping areas.
By practicing good safety habits at home, families stand a much better chance of not becoming a victim of this silent killer. Don,t wait until it is too late. For more information about Poison Prevention Week, visit www.poisonprevention.org.
PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 0
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
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