Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer 
Perhaps one of the most frightening aspects of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning is that most victims don’t even realize when it’s happening to them. This is because CO is a colorless, odorless gas that humans cannot detect with their senses alone. Oftentimes, victims don’t even realize something is wrong until they begin showing signs of sickness. Unfortunately, CO poisoning claims the lives of hundreds of people each year. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 25 thousand Americans must seek medical attention for serious cases of CO poisoning every year. An average of approximately 400 people annually die because of fatal CO exposure.
What causes carbon monoxide poisoning?
The incomplete combustion of fuels within machinery such as cars, trucks, stoves, small engines, grills, lanterns, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces creates CO fumes. If these CO fumes build up indoors, they can slowly and silently poison humans and animals who breathe them in. According to the CDC, “People who are sleeping, intoxicated, or otherwise incapacitated can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.” Recognizing the signs of potential CO poisoning within your home is extremely important to reduce the risk of potential illness or death.
Some of the most common symptoms of CO poisoning in humans include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness and confusion
- Nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach
- Weakness
- Chest pain
- “Flu-like” symptoms
CO poisoning is a silent danger that many Americans unknowingly face daily. To ensure that you and your family remain safe, ensure your home is outfitted with an up-to-date, battery-operated CO detector that will immediately alert you should a danger arise.
If you or a loved one suffered a CO-related injury or lost a loved one due to a
property owner's negligence, know that help is available to you. At
Hach & Rose, LLP, our experienced
premises liability attorneys will seek justice on your behalf and take every necessary action to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.