KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - At least 55 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning came to Harborview Medical Center alone following the recent windstorm, highlighting the severe danger from using combustion-based sources of indoor heat. Local health officials urged the public not to use unvented, combustion-based sources of heat or power indoors, such as gas and kerosene heaters, charcoal briquettes or generators.

“If you are seeking warmth until your power is restored, please seek out safe options, such as shelters, or the kindness of friends and family,” said Dorothy Teeter, Interim Director and Health officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. “Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you, and these cases we’ve seen show how serious the risk is.”

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous and odorless gas that cannot be seen or smelled and that can kill a person in minutes. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever any fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned.

Residents seeking up-to-date information on shelters should contact the shelter status hotline at 206-205-3764, or visit the Red Cross Web site at www.seattleredcross.org/help.

“While we’ve been fortunate that no deaths have occurred, we are very concerned about this sharp increase in carbon-monoxide related illness,” Dr. Scott Barnhart, Medical Director for Harborview Medical Center. “This is a preventable risk, and we want everyone to know how to protect themselves and stay safe.”

Avoid accidental carbon monoxide poisoning

Follow these tips to avoid accidental injury or death from carbon monoxide during a power outage or at any other time:

• Do not operate gasoline-powered machinery such as a generator indoors, including the garage.
• Avoid combustion “space heaters” unless there is an exhaust vent.
• Do not cook or heat with charcoal barbeques inside your home.
• Do not warm up your vehicle by idling the engine inside an attached garage.

How to recognize symptoms and what to do

Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can kill you. If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor’s home.

For more information on carbon monoxide fact sheets in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian and Somali, visit www.metrokc.gov/health/disaster/carbmono.htm

Providing effective and innovative health and disease prevention services for over 1.8 million residents and visitors of King County, Public Health – Seattle & King County works for safer and healthier communities for everyone, every day.

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