Tennessee recognizes its first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day

Chattanooga, TN (WDEF) – The State Fire Marshal’s Office marks September 18 Tennessee’s first recognized Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day, to remind everyone to protect themselves from the "silent killer".

Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas created when fuels like wood, coal and oil don’t burn completely. It’s called the "silent killer" because it’s so hard to detect and the warning symptoms are just as difficult.

Lt. Keith Liles, with the Chattanooga Fire Department, said it’s always a smart idea to add an extra detector in the home, "Just like a smoke detector, they also make carbon monoxide detectors. You can get them at any hardware store. They plug in, and they can detect the amount of carbon monoxide in the atmosphere."

A few of the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, and extreme drowsiness. Any person who has been exposed to carbon monoxide should go outside to get fresh air to breathe. If someone is unconscious, open doors and windows to bring in fresh air.

The Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office also offers the following safety tips:

· To prevent CO poisoning, never use a gas generator inside your home, garage, carport basement, crawlspace or outside near a window, door or vent. A generator should only be used outdoors at least 15 feet away from buildings. It is dangerous to use a gas or kerosene heater inside a home or other building.

· Never use a gas range or gas oven to heat your home. Do not use a gas or charcoal grill indoors, and do not burn charcoal in your fireplace.

· Do not leave a vehicle running in a garage when the door is closed, and do not use power equipment in the garage. 

· Carbon monoxide detectors are important in protecting against CO poisoning, and are widely available at home and hardware stores. Carbon monoxide detectors can provide an early warning before the gas reaches a dangerous level.

· Each home or business should have at least one carbon monoxide detector. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and confusion. Many of these symptoms are similar to common colds or seasonal flu. Breathing high levels of carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness or even death.

· If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, turn off possible sources of the gas.