More House Fires & CO Poisonings Occur During Winter Months
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NORTH TEXAS (CBSDFW.COM) - More house fires and carbon monoxide poisonings occur during the winter months than any other time of year. Experts say it's because winter storms, snow or ice knock out power and cause HVAC units to stop working.
With no means to stay warm people often get desperate and may use a gas cooking range,or bring a charcoal grill or gas generator indoors.
Mark Hanna, a spokesman with the Insurance Council of Texas, says it's those decisions that can be deadly. "The exhaust fumes over take them. It starts with an immediate headache and then you lose consciousness. It can prove fatal."
Carbon monoxide is produced by devices that burn fuels. When trying to heat a home with a device not meant for that purpose carbon monoxide isn't vented outside and the toxic gas builds up in your home. "Carbon monoxide kills a lot of people," Hanna said. "It's the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. It's something you can't see, something you can't smell, something you can't taste."
Instead of using devices not meant to heat homes, Hanna recommends that people put on more clothes or go to a location where the heat is still working.
People with fireplaces in their homes can always use those, but they should never be left unattended.
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