Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Can Kill in Minutes Hartford - The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today reminded residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) and the importance of installing a CO detector to prevent accidental poisonings. A 2008 CDC/CTDPH survey of households in Connecticut found that nearly 40% of households did not have a carbon monoxide detector in their home. Another 2.39% did not know or were not sure if they had a detector.
In Connecticut this past winter, several families were taken to the hospital for treatment of CO poisoning due to malfunctioning furnaces. Fortunately, all survived. An operating CO detector would have alerted them to the danger and allowed them to get out of the house before they became overcome with CO.
CO is an invisible, odorless gas that can be fatal. The symptoms of CO poisoning mimic those of the flu, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. If several members of a household experience these symptoms when they are home, but feel better when they are away from the home, there may be a CO problem.
CO detectors cost from $25 - $50 and can be found at most hardware stores. There are models that combine the CO detector with a smoke detector. "Proper placement of the CO detector is important" said DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin. "Install a CO detector on each floor of your residence near sleeping areas". It is recommended that the CO detector is a UL certified plug-in detector with battery-backup and a digital readout. It should be tested monthly and the battery changed at least twice a year. Replace alarms every 5 years because the sensors degrade over time.
Every home that burns oil, natural gas, wood or coal or uses a portable generator should have a CO detector that is in working order. Residents should have their appliances and heating systems checked annually to ensure that there is adequate ventilation and CO is not building up in their homes. The majority of CO poisonings occur between October and March, the normal heating season.
Source: Connecticut Department of Public Health
The Minister of Finance Releases the Economic and Financial Update The Minister of Finance, Minister of
Government Services, Minister responsible for Government Administration and
Chair of the Conseil du tresor, Monique Jerôme-Forget, today released the
annual economic and financial update. In doing so she also announced that the
government's budget would be balanced ....
Governor Doyle Announces $7.3 Million in Clean Energy Funding
First Wave of Energy Independence Grants Drives Innovation and Business Investm
WAUSAU - Governor Jim Doyle today announced $7.3 million in grants and loans from the Wisconsin Energy Independence Fund (WEIF) for research and development and commercialization or adoption of new technologies. These awards will leverage $44.2 million in investments and create new jobs ....
