(Arnolds Park)– Now that the coldest weather in recent years has hit the area, some people are looking for unique ways to stay warm. And Chris Youngbluth of the Arnolds Park-Okoboji Fire and Rescue Unit says that can be very dangerous and even life threatening. The primary concern he says is carbon monoxide poisoning. Youngbluth recommends if you don’t already have one, to get a carbon monoxide detector. He says it’s also important to have your gas appliances and funace checked annually. And if you’re running a gas or kerosene space heater, Youngbluth says it’s very important to make sure it’s properly ventilated.
Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas, making it very difficult to detect. And Youngbluth says symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be tricky because they closely resemble the flu. The one difference, he says, is that with Carbon Monoxide poisoning the symptoms disappear after the victim gets into fresh air for awhile. Youngbluth says if you think you’ve been exposed to Carbon Monoxide that it’s very important you seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
So far as he’s aware, Youngbluth says he’s heard of no reports locally of Carbon Monoxide poisonings. There have been two such cases in the past week or so in central Iowa.
