Emergency officials are reminding New Brunswickers about the threat carbon monoxide can pose in your home.
Four people living in one household received carbon monoxide poisoning this week after using a generator inside their home.
Acting fire marshal Michael Lewis said you should never run a generator in your home, garage, or near a window or air intake of your house.
Lewis said leaving a window or garage door open a few centimetres while using a generator or propane heater indoors will not keep you and your family safe.
“Carbon monoxide has no smell, taste or colour,” Lewis said in a news release on Tuesday. “Unless you have a carbon monoxide detector in your home, you might never know it is present until it is too late.”
New Brunswickers are again reminded of the threat that carbon monoxide can pose in their homes.
People have died and/or been hospitalized in recent years because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Here is Kenny’s story: https://t.co/zChLjRwqTx— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) November 6, 2018
Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province’s chief medical officer of health, said carbon monoxide poisoning can have serious long-term effects on brain function and can even be fatal.
“Carbon monoxide poses a particular threat to everyone even when awake,” Russell said. “It is even more dangerous when people are sleeping. They might die before anyone is even aware there is a problem.”
Possible signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include a dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.
If you think you or a loved one have been affected, go outside immediately and then go to the nearest hospital or call 911.
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Story by Brad Perry
Twitter: @BradMPerry
Email: perry.brad@radioabl.ca
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