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The warnings on carbon monoxide poisonings don't seem to be getting through! That's what worries Utah agencies who deal with this problem every year. So now, four groups are sending out a combined "tough" message.
Marty Malheiro, with the Utah Poison Control Center, says, "We just decided we want to send a joint message that is more powerful."
There have been several incidents of CO poisoning and even deaths:
- There was a near miss from children in a truck powered by natural gas.
- A family of four died on vacation at a resort cabin.
- A man was found dead, his brother near death, in a ranch house.
- On yet another day, 13 people were overcome with CO in two separate incidents.
Story after story and year after year, hundreds of CO accidents just keep happening here and in adjoining states. Maleheiro says, "In the state of Utah, it seems like the deaths seem to be fairly consistent over the last four or five years."
The Utah Poison Control Center, Unified Fire Authority, Questar Gas and the State Health Department say people simply cannot ignore how subtle CO and how quickly it kills. The concern is that CO is odorless and colorless.
Malheiro says, "We also wonder in these tougher economic times if people will use alternative fuel sources to stay warm, and that could increase exposure."
Stephanie Myers was a victim of a CO accident. She says, "I'm very tired, nauseated, very light-headed. I just feel like death warmed over."
To protect yourself and your family, have your fueled appliances checked once a year, install CO detectors and inspect your house after a heavy snowfall, make sure vents and stacks are open. And don't use portable propane or kerosene heaters inside.
E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com
