By Jerry Payne
Fire Chief
Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning in the United States and each year nearly 200 New Yorkers are hospitalized because of CO poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer — you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide. It is produced anytime fuel is burned. Potential sources include furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, barbeque grills, fireplaces, wood burning stoves, gas ovens, generators and car exhaust. The only way to detect carbon monoxide is with a carbon monoxide detector.
More CO poisoning incidents happen in the winter months mainly due to fuel burning heating appliances. Nearly 90 percent of all housing in New York state use some form of fossil fuel burning heat source.
The New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control recommends placing carbon monoxide detectors on every level of a home and in sleeping areas.
The Liverpool Fire Department is 100 percent volunteer and provides service to the village of Liverpool and parts of the town of Salina. The department responds to approximately 1,700 calls for help annually including EMS, Fire, Vehicle Accidents and Water Rescues. To become a member, visit our web site at liverpoolfire.com or call (315) 457-6347.
Information for this article was provided by the NYSOFPC. Graphic from the CDC.
