No carbon monoxide

2009-06-04T05:17:00.001-07:00

Hello, All,

As the warmer months approach, we typically see fewer cases of CO poisoning from faulty heaters, blocked chimneys, and the like.

However, this is swimming pool season, and improperly vented pool heaters can lead to catastrophe. This can happen not only at home, but in hotels, gymnasiums, and health clubs.

While having a hotel room overlooking the swimming pool may seem attractive, those rooms place us at increased risk of CO poisoning, if they are not properly maintained. If you do book a room over the pool, remember the symptoms of CO poisoning, and vacate the room if you feel nauseated, light-headed, unusually sleepy, headachy, or as if you have the flu coming on. Act quickly, and do not assume that there will be a CO monitor in your room. As always, the best advice is to have a portable CO monitor with you at all times. (www.detectcarbonmonoxide.com)

We also see more people heading out camping and boating during the warm months. Please remember to keep your generators far away from your sleeping area, and do not operate them in enclosed spaces!!

Below is a listing of CO-related news in the US during the past four weeks:

Burlington, VT man dies in home from CO

East Orange, NJ apartment evacuated due to lethal levels of CO

Alexandra, MN man dies of CO in home

Two people transported to hospital for CO poisoning at Green Bay, WS hotel

Columbia, SC man dies from CO poisoning after house fire

Carbon Monoxide Sickens 11 In Kingsessing

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―

A portable generator is believed to have sickened 11 with carbon monoxide in Kingsessing on May 8.

Firefighters were called to the 5600 block of Warrington Avenue after a call from a concerned neighbor at about 3 a.m.

Yvonne Dunn, 74, said her carbon monoxide detector was triggered by gas overflowing from a nearby home, prompting her to call authorities.

"I didn't know that carbon monoxide travels from house to house," she said.

Crews rescued 11 people, including three children, from three homes on the block. They were rushed to area hospitals, but many are said to have a mild case of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Investigators believe a generator running in the unventilated basement of a family of seven spread the colorless, odorless gas.

"They had the electric turned off and they were supplying the electric through this portable generator," said Chief Derrick Sawyer with the Philadelphia Fire Department.

Fire officials said the home did not have a carbon monoxide alarm or any fire alarms. In January, it became law that all residences should be equipped with both carbon monoxide and fire alarms.

Charges may be filed if the investigation proves the portable generator was being used illegally.

11 overcome by CO poisoning in San Francisco, CA home

Towanda, PA man dies from CO in house fire

Binghamton, NY man dies of CO in apartment fire

Bluefield, WVA family of 4 sickened by CO

More than 30 people sickened by CO at Phoenix, AZ ice arena

West Boca Raton girls killed in apparent carbon monoxide poisoning were 'model citizens,' principal says

By MICHAEL LaFORGIA Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, May 31, 2009

It started as a Saturday night sleepover for two girls, 11 and 12, with a trip to Wal-Mart thrown in.

Then came Sunday morning, when Amber Sue Wilson's mother could not wake her.

By morning's end, Amber and her friend Caitlin Brondolo were dead in the one-story home in the Loggers Run community west of Boca Raton. Amber's mother, Loretta L. Wilson, landed in the hospital, unaware of the girls' fate until detectives told her hours later.

All three were stricken by carbon monoxide fumes in what investigators initially were calling a "tragic accident" - perhaps caused by a sport utility vehicle left running in the garage, Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies said.

"They were great students, model citizens, absolutely lovely young women who had so much promise," said Carol Blacharski, principal at Loggers Run Middle School, where the girls were in the sixth grade. "The teachers who had them are just absolutely devastated."

The girls' families were still trying to piece together what had happened.

"We really don't have much information on this situation yet," said Amber's grandmother, Margaret Lance, speaking by telephone from Ellwood City, Pa., in a voice deadened by grief.

"I just can't believe it," said Caitlin's mother, Jill Brondolo, according to the Sun Sentinel. "I'm totally shocked that this would have happened."

Brondolo, who also lives in suburban Boca Raton, said Caitlin was a straight-A student who had become a golf enthusiast, taking lessons for four years and competing in junior tournaments, the Sun Sentinel reported.

She said Amber, another straight-A student, was "a sweetheart. I loved her like my own daughter."

Loretta Wilson, 45, told detectives that something strange had happened to her Ford Escape SUV after she returned with the girls from a trip to Wal-Mart about 10:30 p.m. Saturday.

Wilson said the Ford's engine would not turn off after she pulled the SUV into a garage attached to her house, at 11541 Island Lakes Lane, and closed the garage door behind her. She told detectives that the three of them went inside and fell asleep, sheriff's spokeswoman Teri Barbera said.

Wilson woke about 9 a.m. Sunday and tried to rouse her daughter.

Amber would not stir.

Wilson dialed 911 but apparently was too affected by the fumes to talk to a call-taker. Dispatchers called Wilson back before deputies and paramedics rushed to the family's neighborhood, the gated Island Lakes at Loggers Run subdivision near Glades Road and State Road 7, Barbera said.

Inside, the emergency workers found one girl dead in the kitchen and the second in a front bedroom.

Authorities found Wilson and a small family dog outside in front of the home. They took her to West Boca Medical Center, where she remained Sunday evening. She was expected to recover, Barbera said.

Detectives searched Wilson's house Sunday morning and found the Ford in the garage, its engine turned off and its fuel tank half full. The car keys were on a kitchen counter. There were signs that Wilson, who works for ADT Security Services, was preparing for a business trip.

Besides Wilson, the dog also survived exposure to the toxic fumes. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control workers were tending to the animal.

Wilson's sister Kristina Lance, 37, and Wilson's 9-year-old son also live in the house but spent the night elsewhere Saturday, authorities said.

"At this very moment it appears to be a tragic accident," Barbera said. "We don't suspect any foul play."

Brondolo said she was astonished that Wilson may have left a vehicle running in the garage, the Sun Sentinel reported.

"I know Loretta is a single mom, but she has neighbors she could have asked for help," the newspaper quoted Brondolo as saying. "She could have called my husband."

The state Department of Children and Families was joining the sheriff's special investigation division in looking into the girls' deaths.

Blacharski, the Loggers Run principal, said she had spent much of the day talking to teachers and staff who knew the girls.

She said her staff will meet before the school day begins this morning to discuss the deaths, and grief counselors will be at the school to talk to students.

The school will provide ways for students to share memories of the girls, including bulletin boards for students to sign.

"It's going to be a hard day at school," Blacharski said.

So, folks, as you see, smart people can do stupid things. Here in the Philadelphia area, we have lost many souls when the driver of a car accidentally parks it in a garage and leaves it running, allowing the fumes to enter the family's living space.

Please, use common sense, and buy CO monitors for your home and your own self!

please see our zero-profit-to-us line of bags, diaper bags, and totes with built-in personal CO detectors at http://nocogear.com

2009-05-05T05:43:00.000-07:00

As always, we invite you to visit our site at http://nocogear.com for bags, backpacks, and other travel items with the CO300 portable carbon monoxide detector!

2009-05-05T05:27:00.000-07:00

Hello, All,

Please forgive my tardiness in updating the blog; life gets hectic at times.

We recently welcomed four baby ducks to our fold—a true sign that spring is here!

That said, CO poisonings from furnaces have not yet abated this year, which is alarming. And, as you’ll see below, CO from other sources is a year-round problem.

I’m changing the format a bit today, since so many of the links expire and it’s a real pain to keep pasting all those URLs into blog format. For today, I’ll provide you with the headlines and a synopsis of the story, and if you want to find a particular link, please feel free to email me at lynnehthom@gmail.com and I’ll get you additional information!

Mother claims daughter died because of pool heater

4/13/2009 10:45 AM

By Justin Anderson -Kanawha Bureau

CHARLESTON - A Morgantown woman claims an improperly vented swimming pool heater emitted toxic levels of carbon monoxide and killed her daughter during a sleepover.

Sandra K. Leuellen filed a lawsuit in Kanawha Circuit Court March 25 against Brogan Rose Jr., Pentair Inc., Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Pentair Pool Products, Viking Pools and Hagedorn's Inc.

Rose is the owner of the home where the sleepover occurred; Hagedorn's supplied the liquefied petroleum gas that powered the pool heater; the other defendants are described as the manufacturers and sellers of the heater.

Lueellen claims her daughter, Cheyenne Hise, died during a sleepover at the Rose residence on Aug. 11, 2008...

Carmel Ice Skadium part of ESPN report tonight

IndyStar.com

By Mark Ambrogi

Posted: April 14, 2009

A December incident at Carmel Ice Skadium will be included in a segment of "Danger in the Air" at 7 p.m. today on ESPN's "E:60" about the problem of air pollution in ice rinks nationally.

Carmel Ice Skadium had to be temporarily evacuated due to a carbon monoxide problem Dec. 20. Ten people were hospitalized after feeling dizzy and nauseated....

Quick Thinking Saves Uniontown Family From Carbon Monoxide

City Workers To Be Honored Friday

Posted: 8:04 pm EDT April 16, 2009

Updated: 11:45 pm EDT April 16, 2009

UNIONTOWN, Pa. -- A 12-year-old girl along with police and 911 dispatchers are being called heroes for their quick action that saved a family from their carbon monoxide filled home.

Veteran Dispatcher Colleen Rummell received a hang-up cell call early Tuesday morning.

She followed agency procedures and called the number back.

The caller, Nailah Letts, was difficult to understand but with what information was received and the gut instinct that comes with years of taking emergency calls, crews rushed to the Lincoln Street home.

"When I got up to answer the door when they were knocking, I didn't know what door they were at," she said. "I couldn't get there fast enough and I passed out."

Police immediately asked the fire department to come and check for high levels of carbon monoxide. It was determined that the level was 900 ppm, well above the recommended federal level for evacuation of 800 ppm...

11 sent to hospital after carbon monoxide leak in Carpentersville home

April 17, 2009

From Staff Reports

CARPENTERSVILLE – Eleven occupants of a home here were taken to two local hospitals because of elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the home at in the 70 block of Wren Road.

Police received a call from the residence at 1:34 p.m. Thursday, stating that residents were feeling ill because of a possible carbon monoxide leak, reports said. Once inside the home, firefighters discovered two dead birds in a cage and elevated levels of carbon monoxide. Occupants said the birds were fine Wednesday night. Reports said the carbon monoxide came from a malfunctioning furnace and oven.

Eleven people inside this Carpentersville home were transported to two Elgin hospitals as a result of a carbon monoxide leak on Wednesday.

Two of the 11 occupants complained of feeling ill, reports said. Due to the dead birds and elevated gas levels, firefighters transported six adults and five children – ranging in age from 11 month to 37 years – to Sherman Hospital and Provena St. Joseph Hospital for treatment. Sherman Hospital reported that nine of the victims brought there were all in good condition Thursday afternoon. Provena reported the other two victims, both adults, were stable and expected to be released later Thursday.

Carbon Monoxide Scare Leads To Evacuations

Last Update: 4/17 8:56 pm

Dozens of residents are back in their apartments tonight, after a Carbon Monoxide scare in Provo.

About 75 people were evacuated from the complex located near 2200 North and Canyon Road late this afternoon.

Authorities said a man who cleans the apartments apparently left his truck running in the underground garage. Fumes reportedly seeped into the building, setting off several CO detectors.

Officers aired out the building, and let everyone back inside. No one reported getting sick from the gas.

3 children found dead in central Mo. house fire

Apr 17, 2009

HOLTS SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) — Three young siblings were found dead after a fire swept through their home early Friday morning, just three months after another fire killed two children in this rural central Missouri town.

The children's mother, another woman and her child were able to escape. An autopsy found that the three children died of carbon monoxide poisoning from the fire, said Callaway County Sheriff Dennis Crane.

The bodies of 4-year-old Chance Wilkerson and 2-year-old Gracie Wilkerson were found on the floor of their bedrooms. But the flames became too intense and firefighters had leave before their 6-year-old brother, Trevor Smith, could be found, Crane said. His body was recovered after the fire was contained.

The woman and child who survived were in the basement of the house, where the fire started, and were able to get the victims' mother, Elizabeth Nix, 24, out of the house, Crane said. The names of the other two survivors were not released.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

Two sisters, ages 3 and 5, died Jan. 16 in a fire in a mobile home in Holts Summit. Before that blaze, the town of about 3,600 had gone 10 years without a fire fatality.

Carbon monoxide poisoning killed 2 children in fire, coroner says

By CHRIS TRAINOR/ ctrainor@indexjournal.com

Thursday, April 23, 2009 8:51 AM EDT

Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office has released its initial report on a fire that ravaged a Parkland Place Road home on Saturday, killing two young children and sending three family members to the hospital.

The Saturday fire at 514 Parkland Place claimed the lives of Alisha Makins, 4, and Arian Makins, 3. Meanwhile, their mother, Crystal Reed, 12-year-old brother, Jarod Reed and infant sister, Arianna Makins, were all airlifted to Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta.

Monday autopsies revealed Arian and Alisha Makins officially died of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to Greenwood County Chief Deputy Coroner Marcia Kelley-Clark.

Family Survives Carbon Monoxide That Nearly Took Their Lives

Kristy Steeves, Fox 8 News

April 20, 2009

A dangerous carbon monoxide leak inside a home causes a woman and her children to barely escape with their lives.

By the time the Mansfield Fire Department arrived at a home on Sackman Street they say A'doo Chia-Kur and her three children only had minutes left to live.

Investigators say Chia-Kur and her children were unresponsive when they got to the house.

A'doo told FOX 8 that her 3-year-old son, Zyion, had gotten up in the middle of the night complaining of a stomach ache so she put him in bed with her. Hours later she woke up. Zyion was laying unconscious next to her.

"He was just laying there. I kept nudging him and he wouldn't move," she explained.

A'doo says her heart was beating fast. She felt like she was dying. "I was very lethargic, headache. I couldn't move".

A'doo says she didn't have the strength to call 911 so she hit a button on her touch screen phone. Her best friend, Andrea Brooks, answered.

Andrea says her friend said, "Andrea I'm feeling (like I'm going) to die", and then the phone went dead.

Andrea called 911. When firefighters arrived they had to break in through the front door.

Andrea says she headed for the childrens' bedroom. There she found 5-year-old twins, Marquesia and A'lesia, unconscious. "One of the twins was laying face down on the floor and the other one was passed out on the bed".

The family of four was rushed to the hospital where they recovered from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Mansfield Fire Chief John Harsch says a vent pipe on the furnace, which become dislodged, was the cause of the leak.

Six Hospitalized After Possible CO Poisoning

Reported by: Lance Barry

Last Update: 4/22 9:27 am

At least six Springdale residents, including five children, are in the hospital after reportedly suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning early Wednesday morning.

The poisoning happened in a condominium complex in the 600 block of Bancroft Circle just after 6 a.m. According to officials, the residents called 911 after they began to suffer flu-like symptoms.

Officials say at least one adult was taken to University Hospital and five children were taken to Children's Hospital for treatment. Their names and conditions have not been released.

C'ville landlord cited after 11 sent to hospital

Code violations included faulty furnace, too many occupants

April 24, 2009

By CIGI ROSS cross@scn1.com

CARPENTERSVILLE -- The landlord of a rental property here has been cited following a carbon monoxide leak in the house that sent 11 people to the hospital.

Firefighters were called to the home at 72 Wren Road on April 16 after residents called police complaining that some in the house were feeling ill, police reports said. Once inside the house, firefighters discovered two dead birds in a cage and elevated levels of carbon monoxide. The 11 people who had been inside the home at the time were treated at area hospitals and released the same day.

Village Manager Craig Anderson said Thursday that the village had given the property's landlord a notice of violation for unsafe mechanical equipment. Firefighters had determined the cause of the carbon monoxide leak was a malfunctioning furnace. The property did not have any working fire or carbon monoxide detectors, according to authorities.

Police suspect carbon monoxide in family's death

SAN ANTONIO -- Authorities are investigating the deaths of three people who may have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The three were found in a San Antonio home on Thursday.

San Antonio police detective Raymond Roberts said a vehicle parked inside the garage was allowed to run until its fuel tank emptied.

Neighbors called the police at the request of friends who had gone to check on the family, the San Antonio Express-News reported.

All three bodies were found upstairs and there were no signs of trauma. Police Chief William McManus called the deaths unusual because no force appeared to have been used.

A hazardous materials crew has checked the house for any poisonous gas or airborne contaminants.

04/28/2009 12:49 AM

Carbon Monoxide Levels Force Astoria Residents To Evacuate

By: Samuel King

At least 40 people had to be evacuated from their homes Monday in Astoria due to elevated levels of carbon monoxide.

Con Edison says it was caused by smoldering cables underground on Crescent Street in Astoria. Neighbors say they lost power and were told to leave their homes.

"I went outside, there was a little bit of smoke. I went inside again, came back out after 15 minutes and the wires were jumping and there was more smoke. I went to the drug store and came back, and I was told I could not go into my house," said Astoria resident Angela Lopis.

Power was restored by Monday evening.

Con Edison says it will evaluate what caused the incident to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Columbus school evacuated because of fumes

By Deuce Niven

WHITEVILLE — An electrical problem was the apparent source of fumes that sent carbon monoxide levels at Columbus Christian Academy High School to an unsafe level Monday morning, said Deputy Columbus County Fire Marshal Jeff Bell.

A secretary at the school was sickened by the odor and sought treatment from her doctor, said Kay Worley, the deputy Emergency Services director.

It will be up to county electrical inspectors to determine when classes may resume for the 105 students at the private school on Alliance Drive, Bell said.

The Brunswick Fire Department answered the 911 call from the school before 9 a.m., Bell said. Students and staff were evacuated as fire officials worked to determine the source of the odor.

A carbon monoxide detector showed worrisome levels of the odorless, deadly gas.

A hazardous materials team from Lake Waccamaw Fire & Rescue responded, and their equipment showed much higher carbon monoxide levels.

“They cut all the power to the building, and the levels went down to normal,” Bell said.

Electrical contractors were at the school Monday afternoon, Worley said. Efforts to contact Principal Deb Edwards were not successful.

28 Treated For Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Halfway House Being Ventilated

POSTED: 10:48 pm CDT April 29, 2009 UPDATED: 7:21 am CDT April 30, 2009

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Twenty-eight people were treated for possible carbon monoxide poisoning Wednesday night.

The exposure was reported at a halfway house in downtown Kansas City at Truman Road and Campbell Street.

KMBC's Brenda Washington reported that 44 people were in the building; 28 were taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Some were treated and released.

The victims were complaining about not feeling well when emergency crews were called.

The house is being ventilated, officials said.

The cause is under investigation.

Four children suffering carbon monoxide poisoning are airlifted to hospital. Police say they were overcome by fumes in car

by The Grand Rapids Press

Wednesday April 29, 2009, 11:49 PM

CADILLAC -- Four children overcome by carbon monoxide fumes Wednesday night were airlifted to Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital for treatment, but their conditions weren't immediately known.

City Fire Capt. Jeff Holly said the children were riding in a car with their mother when she noticed they were not responsive.

She took them to Mercy Hospital and authorities were contacted about 9:10 p.m., Holly said. The children later were transferred to Grand Rapids.

Holly, who declined to release the patients' ages, said it wasn't clear how the carbon monoxide entered the car or how long they were inside the vehicle.

2009-04-29T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, All, and welcome to nocarbonmonoxide!

This is to announce the launch of our website, dedicated to protecting you and your loved ones from carbon monoxide, the 'Silent Killer'.

We are offering a line of custom-made travel gear, diaper bags, backpacks, and tote bags, all fitted with the CO300, the first truly portable carbon monoxide detector made in the US. Read more about the monitor at www.detectcarbonmonoxide.com

.. and please visit NoCO Gear, Inc. at http://nocogear.com

Stay safe!

Lynne

2009-04-13T09:03:00.000-07:00

Blog update, as of April 12

South Bend family recovers from carbon monoxide leak
WSBT-TV - South Bend,IN,USA
(WSBT photo) By WSBT News1 A South Bend family is luck to be alive, following a carbon monoxide leak inside their own home early Thursday morning. ...
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/42319712.html

Once again, fumes force Super Fresh evacuation
News of Delaware County - Havertown,PA,USA
In August 2008, 32 people, including one firefighter, were hospitalized after an elderly woman collapsed, alerting authorities to carbon monoxide poisoning ...
http://www.newsofdelawarecounty.com/

Family Of Three Suffer Carbon Monoxide Illness
CBS 4 - Miami,FL,USA
Read more in our Privacy Policy AP Three Tamarac residents were hospitalized Thursday morning after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes in their home.
http://cbs4.com/local/Tamarac.Carbon.Monoxide.2.974043.html

Carbon monoxide poisoning claims Colorado Springs man
Fairplay Flume - Bailey,CO,USA
Colorado Springs resident David Driscoll, 54, was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning at his Indian Mountain cabin on March 20. ...
http://theflume.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=6007&TM=61433.25

7 sickened by carbon monoxide
Worcester Telegram - Worcester,MA,USA
AP CENTRAL FALLS, RI — Fire officials said two people were in critical condition and five others were being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning after they ...
http://www.telegram.com/article/20090407/NEWS/904070382/1052

Students, teacher fall ill at school
Northwest Herald - Crystal Lake,IL,USA
Firefighters detected a strange odor in two classrooms and the school library, Schuldt said, but air quality monitoring tests did not detect carbon monoxide ... http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2009/04/09/r_9cqqvzmmt5kjmavacokodq/index.xml

Carbon monoxide poisons 10 at house
Newsday - Long Island,NY,USA
BY BILL MASON | bill.mason@newsday.com Ten people were hospitalized, four in critical condition, after they suffered carbon monoxide poisoning Friday caused ...
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/nassau/ny-licarb1112643828apr10,0,7059532.story

Stay safe, all!

More news to come.....

2009-04-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Welcome to nocarbonmonoxide!

The purpose of this blog is to inform you about the risks of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, and to help you avoid these risks.

CO is the leading cause of accidental poisoning worldwide. In the US, at least 5,000 people are killed by CO each year, and another 50,000 suffer permanent physical and psychological damage.

Why is Carbon Monoxide so dangerous?

The way CO works in the body is complicated. When CO is in the air that we breathe, it does major damage inside our red blood cells. Red blood cells contain the oxygen-transporting molecule hemoglobin, and we rely on the oxygen in hemoglobin to fuel all the body’s machinery. CO displaces the oxygen in the hemoglobin molecule, to produce carboxyhemoglobin, which impairs our ability to provide energy to the body. (If you or someone you know is ever exposed to CO, your health care providers will measure your blood’s level of carboxyhemoglobin, to try and determine how bad a ‘hit’ you had.)

But carboxyhemoglobin isn’t the only culprit. CO also alters a number of proteins, including a brain protein called myelin basic protein. When the body ‘sees’ the altered protein, it mounts an immune response. And even after the body’s proteins have returned to normal, CO has already activated an autoimmune cascade, so that the immune system continues to attack normal proteins, such as the myelin basic protein that is so important for brain function. That’s why a single exposure to CO can cause lifelong injury.

The only treatment for CO poisoning is oxygen. In cases of severe CO exposure, a person should receive pressurized oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. But there are many, many places in the world where access to a hyperbaric chamber is extremely limited. And, if hyperbaric oxygen therapy isn’t started within 24 hours of CO exposure, it has little, if any, benefit; the damage is already done. The safest course is to prevent CO exposure altogether.

What are the most common sources of Carbon Monoxide?

You may hear the winter months referred to as “CO season”, because the most common cause of accidental CO poisoning is the US is faulty heating systems.

Furnaces that are improperly vented or have cracks in their venting systems;
Chimneys that are blocked by soot or other objects, such as birds’ nests; and
Generators that are used indoors or outside near a window
Gas water heaters with cracks or faulty venting

…. are common culprits.

But CO can come from places we don’t normally think about, and no season of the year is truly safe.

Pool heaters located near or under a window;
Cars left running in garages due to forgetfulness or the desire to warm up the car on a cold morning;
Improperly vented stoves in restaurants;
Camping trailers with faulty venting systems;
SUVs with the rear window left open, or
Pickup trucks where people are allowed to ride in the back;
Boats with outdated venting systems; and
Camping stoves used improperly

…have all killed or permanently injured people in the US during the past year.

Below, you will find a small sampling of CO poisoning cases during the past few years.

You will also find a sampling of Google Alert poisonings in the US for the month of March, 2009, alone. The most alarming thing about this listing is that March is generally considered one of the safer months of the year in the US, because most furnaces that have functioned correctly from September through the winter are less likely to malfunction during the spring.

The take-home lesson is that no time of the year is truly safe.

Furnace maintenance and common sense are your two best weapons against CO poisoning.

But the ONLY truly safe environment is an environment with a working CO detector.

Most new home construction and public spaces require smoke detectors, but they do not require CO detectors. This is disturbing, because more than half of people who die in house fires die from the fumes (CO) and not the flames.

Recently, leading experts in the field of CO poisoning have recommended that you take a portable CO monitor with you, wherever you go. You will find the portable monitor that we recommend at KWJ Engineering:

http://www.detectcarbonmonoxide.com

http://www.kwjengineering.com/products/carbon-monoxide/portable/pocket-co-300

But whatever monitor you choose, choose a monitor! The senseless loss of life to CO is a preventable tragedy, and it’s important that you tell your loved ones that they need protecting.

No gift could be better than the gift of protection from permanent injury or death.

This blog is linked to a new company called NoCO Gear, Inc., and we encourage you to visit our site. (nocogear.com)

NoCO Gear offers a line of backpacks, diaper bags, computer totes, and other items with a built-in CO300 carbon monoxide detector. The bags are custom-designed, and we offer them on a zero profit to us basis. If you visit our site and choose to buy a bag, NoCO Gear will not profit one penny. We are dedicated to the prevention of CO poisoning, rather than to making money. All our products, including the CO monitor, are US-made and environmentally friendly, and we would love to have you visit our site!

(Regarding the listings below, please note: I have only been following CO poisonings in the US, and only since February of this year, 2009. The older incidences are still in the headlines due to pending or recent lawsuit settlements, and they are only a few examples of poisonings that can occur in various places. Further below, you will find reports of CO cases that have occurred in the past two months alone.)

Hotel Poisonings

November, 2000
CARBON MONOXIDE LEAK SICKENS SIX; 2 LISTED `CRITICAL'
http://www.bookrags.com/highbeam/carbon-monoxide-leak-sickens-six-2-20001102-hb/
Cause: faulty pool heater

June, 2006
Woman Sues Ocean City, Maryland Hotel Over Carbon Monoxide Deaths of Her Husband and Daughter
http://www.uslaw.com/bulletin/woman-sues-ocean-city-maryland-hotel-over-carbon-monoxide-deaths-of-her-husband-and-daughter.php?p=1188
Cause: faulty water heater pipe

December, 2006
Key West Doubletree Closed Following Carbon Monoxide Deaths
http://www.truveo.com/Carbon-Monoxide-Blamed-In-Key-West-Hotel-Death/id-1138621480
Cause: faulty furnace

January, 2008
Hotel guest dies from carbon monoxide fumes http://articles.latimes.com/2008/jan/19/nation/na-hotel19
Cause: faulty water heater venting

Dormitory Poisonings:

August, 2004
Monoxide Leak Hospitalizes Mont. Students
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-98461297.html
Cause: cracked heater pipe

July, 2006
Carbon Monoxide Sickens 100 in Dorm
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/jul/15/nation/na-monoxide15
Cause: faulty gas water heater

March, 2009
Carbon monoxide empties U. of C. dorm
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/03/carbon-monoxide-university-of-chicago-dormitory.html
Cause: faulty boiler in basement

Restaurant Poisonings:

February, 2008
13 Hospitalized in CO Restaurant Evacuation (Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Baltimore, MD)
http://wjz.com/local/ruth.chris.carbon.2.644566.html
Cause: cracked boiler equipment

December, 2008
Carbon Monoxide Leak At Charleston’s Restaurant Fixed after 10 Sickened
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9498435&nav=menu682_11_8
Cause: faulty hot water heater

Nursing Home Poisonings:

February, 2008
Carbon monoxide forces nursing home evacuation
http://www.chitowndailynews.org/Chicago_news/Carbon_monoxide_forces_nursing_home_evacuation,12099
Cause: as yet undetermined

July, 2008
Taunton nursing home is evacuated ; Carbon monoxide level triggers alert; 46 go to hospitals
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16867288.html
Cause: possible improper use of generator

Child Care Center Poisonings:

October, 2006
Carbon Monoxide Forces Camden Daycare Evacuation
http://www.truveo.com/Carbon-Monoxide-Forces-Camden-Daycare-Evacuation/id/619162824
Cause: faulty heater

December, 2008
Delaware Online News Video: Child care center evacuated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6wuw4uQomE
Cause: not reported

late February and March, 2009 Poisonings in the US
(These are the postings that created enough attention to be listed on Google, but they are a fraction of the poisonings that occurred.)

• Family of Four Saved from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
http://www.fox13now.com/news/kstu-family-of-four-saved-from-carbon-monoxide,0,2297714.story

• Authorities: Six Sheraden residents sickened by carbon monoxide
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_618420.html

• Carbon monoxide scare prompts store (SuperFresh) evacuation
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6735110

• Nine people hurt in Federal Way house fire
http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/breaking/story/693226.html

• 5 hospitalized from carbon monoxide leak
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-il-carbonmonoxidelea,0,3196595.story

• Community says goodbye to four chilldren killed in mobile home fire
http://www.springfieldnewssun.com/hp/content/oh/story/news/local/2009/03/29/sns032909funeralinside.html

• Coast Guard aids man felled by fumes on boat
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/mar/28/nxfcevac29/

• Family says generator could have killed them
http://www.wptv.com/news/local/story/Family-says-generator-could-have-killed-them/g9EDOmrmz0K71g7ThB7Nng.cspx

• Family escapes poisoning
http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_077233519.html

• 'Extremely High' CO Prompts O'Hara Twp. Evacuations
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29733220/

• Carbon monoxide sickens LU hockey players, coaches
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/sports/college/liberty/article/carbon_monoxide_sickens_lu_hockey_players_coaches/14382

• Carbon monoxide poisoning kills Denison man
http://www.kxii.com/news/headlines/41351157.html

• Carbon monoxide leak blamed in death, illness
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090316/LOCAL/903160330/1195/LOCAL18

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Sends Wisconsin Worshipers To Hospital
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014433945

• Carbon Monoxide Scare Sends Nearly 100 to the Hospital
http://www.fox8.com/news/wjw-coscare,0,7411840.story

• Carbon monoxide tied to camper death
http://www.indystar.com/article/20090315/LOCAL/90315010

• Firefighters Save Family From Monoxide Poisoning
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2009-03-12/article/32470?headline=Firefighters-Save-Family-From-Monoxide-Poisoning

• North Branch Twp. family averts carbon monoxide poisoning
http://www.countypress.com/stories/031109/loc_22090311068.shtml

• Dog saves 9 people from carbon-monoxide poisoning
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_11874973

• Oak Brook school is shut down after carbon monoxide leak
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/education/story/60AB42785FB433BC86257571004E972C?OpenDocument

• Chatham family treated for carbon monoxide poisoning
http://www3.whdh.com:80/news/articles/local/BO106451/

• Connecticut deaths prompt warning from Putnam Emergency Services Commissioner
http://www.midhudsonnews.com/News/2009/March09/03/PC_CO_warn-03Mar09.html

• Carbon monoxide sickens 5 in Wexford County home
http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/mar/02/news/chi-ap-mi-carbonmonoxide-il

• Carbon Monoxide Likely Sickened 7 Kids
http://www.wwmt.com/articles/detroit_1359702___article.html/children_monoxide.html

• 2 Sickened By Carbon Monoxide In Lawrence Co.
http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/18792631/detail.html

• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning In Lincoln Park
http://www.wwj.com/pages/3907599.php?

• Carbon monoxide poisoning cited as cause of men's deaths
http://nwanews.com/nwat/News/74280/

• Pregnant trail rider dies of carbon monoxide poisoning, others sickened
http://www.khou.com/news/local/stories/khou090223_mh_pregnant_trail_rider_killed.45721a85.html

• Campers likely died from carbon monoxide poisoning
http://www.fox11az.com/news/topstories/stories/kmsb20090220jc-campers-likely-carbon-monoxide-pois.34f9bfa9.html

• Carbon Monoxide Killed Couple
http://www.lex18.com/Global/story.asp?S=9878797&nav=EQlp

I will continue to update this blog on a weekly basis. (Some of the links expire after 30 days, if the news source does not archive all of its posts. If you have trouble locating a link, try typing the relevant terms, such as 'carbon monoxide sickens kids' into your search engine.)

Please visit NoCO Gear, Inc. at nocogear.com, for unique ideas on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide!

Stay safe!

Lynne

2009-04-02T09:14:00.001-07:00

test post for no carbon monoxide