Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Invisible odorless gas causing flu like symptoms and death

Step by Step

Symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, breathlessness, chest pain, and loss of consciousness, often affecting several people or pets in the same place. Get everyone into fresh air immediately, only if it is safe to do so, and call emergency services. Open doors and windows on the way out if safe, and turn off fuel burning appliances if possible without delay. Do not go back inside until the building has been declared safe. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR. Hospital treatment uses high concentration oxygen. Common sources include faulty boilers and heaters, generators, car exhausts, blocked chimneys, and barbecues used indoors. CO alarms help prevent poisoning.