The drop in temperatures is causing an increase in the use of heating in many homes. But this presents risks of carbon monoxide poisoning if the heating or hot water production devices are poorly maintained, in disrepair, or if the room where the device is located is poorly ventilated.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is “a colorless, odorless, toxic and potentially deadly gas”, which “spreads very quickly in the environment,” the Ministry of Health underlines on its website.
The latter explains that this gas “results from incomplete combustion, regardless of the fuel used: wood, butane, coal, gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas, oil, propane.”
Every year, about 1,300 episodes of carbon monoxide poisoning are reported to health authorities, which occur by accident and affect about 3,000 people, according to the Ministry of Health.
symptoms of poisoning
Given this risk, some symptoms should alert, according to the Centre-Val de Loire Regional Health Agency. These are the following:
- Feeling tired
- Nausea
- vomiting
- Headache
If these symptoms occur and a combustion appliance is working, the premises must be ventilated immediately, this appliance must be stopped, the premises must be evacuated and the emergency services called by dialing 15, 18, 112 or 114 for the deaf and deaf, according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.
“Significant poisoning can lead to coma and death, sometimes in a matter of minutes,” he recalls.
CO poisoning is responsible for around 100 deaths a year in France, according to the ministry.
How to prevent poisoning?
Public Health France (SPF) also provides some tips to prevent this type of poisoning. This public body under the Ministry of Health recommends having your heating devices (boiler, duct, thermos, chimney, etc.) checked annually by a professional and asking for a maintenance certificate.
SPF also discourages the use of kitchen appliances (stove, brazier, barbecue, etc.) for heating.
To properly ventilate your home, it is best not to block openings that allow air circulation, for example, under doors. SPF also recommends airing out your accommodation every day for “at least 10 minutes, even in winter.”
Source: BFM TV
