By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – The Normal Fire Department is giving the community a “stern” reminder about carbon monoxide alarms.
“The last couple of weeks, we actually had two calls where people called in reporting flu-like symptoms and when we arrived we actually found a potentially lethal level of carbon monoxide in their house,” said Public Information Officer Matt Swaney. “What was more dangerous is the fact that neither of the homes had working carbon monoxide alarms.”
Swaney said people often mistake symptoms of Carbon Monoxide for the flu and there’s not really a way to tell the difference until you’ve had blood work done.
“We just wanted to do a push to make sure that people are checking their carbon monoxide alarms,” said Swaney. “Especially this time of year when the houses are getting closed up nice and tight for the winter. Unfortunately, it also keeps the carbon monoxide into your home.”
Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in US, with more than 20,000 people hospitalized and nearly 500 killed each year. Common sources of carbon monoxide poisoning include faulty furnaces, water heaters, and propane or natural gas fueled heaters and stoves.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
