In the cold winter, the most comfortable thing to come to is to close the doors and windows to take a hot bath, or invite three or five friends to make tea and eat charcoal hot pot around the stove at home. As everyone knows, an "invisible killer" is watching, and deaths and injuries caused by carbon monoxide poisoning have been reported from time to time. The Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention reminds the general public that winter is the season of high incidence of carbon monoxide poisoning, and do not be careless to prevent tragedy!
If coal gas, natural gas or other carbon-containing substances are not burned completely, carbon monoxide will be produced, which is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, insoluble in water gas, which can seriously cause death, but it is not a pungent smell as rumored and is difficult to detect.
Effective preventive measures
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a preventable health hazard, and it's critical to take proper precautions. Here are some effective precautions:
Ensure good ventilation:
When using any combustion device, make sure the room has adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.
Regularly inspect the combustion equipment:
Regularly and professionally inspect and maintain household combustion equipment, including water heaters, stoves, ovens, and fireplaces.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm:
Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your home and check its function regularly to ensure you can be alerted when carbon monoxide concentrations rise.
Follow the instructions for use:
Operate strictly according to the instructions for use of household appliances, and do not use carbon monoxide-producing devices such as barbecue grills, generators, etc. in enclosed spaces.
Do not burn fuel in an enclosed space:
Do not ignite any fuel in the garage, basement, or any unventilated space.
Educate family members:
Educate family members about carbon monoxide poisoning, including recognizing symptoms and emergency measures.
What to do if poisoning is found
As soon as signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are detected, the following first aid measures should be taken immediately:
1. Evacuate immediately: Quickly bring the victim out of the exposed environment to fresh air and, if possible, open doors and windows to increase ventilation.
2. Call for first aid: Call your local emergency services** immediately to report a carbon monoxide poisoning incident.
3. Check breathing: If the victim is not breathing or has difficulty breathing, immediately perform artificial respiration or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
4. Keep warm and quiet: Keep the victim warm and try to avoid unnecessary activities to reduce oxygen consumption.
5. Professional**: Carbon monoxide poisoning may require hyperbaric oxygen**, so send the victim to the hospital as soon as possible.
If you suspect that you have been exposed to carbon monoxide, you should take the following self-help measures immediately:
1. Leave the scene immediately: Don't waste time packing up your belongings and get outside for a breath of fresh air right away.
2. Help: If you are able to operate**, call emergency services immediately and inform you of your suspicion of carbon monoxide poisoning.
3. Take deep breaths: Take deep breaths in a safe environment to help remove carbon monoxide from your body.
4. Don't drive: Don't try to drive even if you feel like you're able to get to the hospital on your own, as carbon monoxide poisoning can cause confusion or fainting.
*: Wuhan CDC.