Northwest Iowa — Three people in Sioux City were taken to the hospital after being overcome by carbon monoxide Monday. Fire captain Ryan Collins says the three were in a home that is slated for demolition and they were using a gas-powered generator to run heaters.
The conditions and names of the three have not been released.
The would-be tragedy reminds us that everyone should be aware of the dangers of creating carbon monoxide in an enclosed area. We talked to Sioux Center Fire Chief David Van Holland, and he tells us how you can avoid becoming a victim.
Fire department experts tell us you should not use generators or gas-fueled appliances that are not properly ventilated inside the home. Camping stoves, charcoal grills and so forth cannot be used inside a structure because of the carbon monoxide hazard. Ventless gas heaters are also an issue, says Van Holland. Another way to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is to clear ice and snow from your furnace vents — especially the high-efficiency ones that are normally vented to the side of the house, as the exhaust contains moisture and that can freeze up and block the pipe — so that the carbon monoxide is trapped inside the home.
Experts tell us that utility companies usually have carbon monoxide equipment and they can tell you how efficiently your heating equipment is working.
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning present themselves with a headache, flu-like symptoms, nausea, dizziness, and so forth. They say if you believe that you are possibly suffering from carbon monoxide — call 911 and remove yourself from that structure as soon as you can.
