When the heating is turned on in winter, there is a risk: that of carbon monoxide poisoning. The National Federation of Firefighters of France alerted Wednesday, December 9 to this danger. “When temperatures drop, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning increases”, explain the firefighters in a press release. 1,300 episodes of intoxication thus occur each year by accident, and concern approximately 3,000 people.
Carbon monoxide results from incomplete combustion of wood, coal, fuel oil or even natural gas, for example. When a room is not ventilated, the products of combustion escape poorly or even the heaters are poorly maintained, it can represent a real risk to health.
Especially since the carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and non-irritant. It is therefore very difficult to detect. It also diffuses quickly, and “can be fatal in less than an hour”, indicate the firefighters.
The Federation of firefighters therefore call for caution, fitted with “one or more carbon monoxide detectors”, in maintaining its heating installations or in respecting the instructions for use combustion appliances. Another instruction, all the more essential with the coronavirus epidemic: ventilate rooms. Firefighters recommend doing it “at least 10 minutes a day”.
It is also important to spot the first signs ofintoxication quickly (headache, nausea, vomiting), and reacts quickly to symptoms. In this case, “ventilate and evacuate the place, and contact 112 or 18 in an emergency, 15 for medical advice,” advise the firefighters of France.
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