The number of carbon monoxide poisonings has doubled in the past two weeks, according to InVS, which issues recommendations to avoid them.
141 poisonings, one death, these are the devastations linked to CO emissions in French homes in recent days. For two weeks, and with the onset of the cold, reports have doubled. InVS, the French public health watch institute, calls for vigilance.
Generator, barbecue
The death that occurred during this period was caused by CO emissions from a generator set used when the power supply had been cut for non-payment, reports the InVS. On the other hand, 6 episodes related to the inappropriate use of a generator set involved 24 people, all transported to a hospital emergency department.
Of the 7 episodes of brazier / barbecue poisoning reported since September 1 (involving 28 people), 3 have occurred in the past two weeks.
Since September 1, 2014, Nord-Pas-Calais (15), Ile-de-France (15), Rhône-Alpes (9) and Center (9) are the regions most affected by poisoning.
Weekly distribution (since September 1, 2013) of the number of episodes of CO poisoning, suspected or proven, and the number of people exposed and taken to emergency rooms.
The first symptoms
As we recalled in December, the symptoms of poisoning are headaches, nausea, mental confusion and fatigue. They may not manifest immediately and may affect several people to varying degrees. Significant intoxication can lead to coma and death, hence the importance of rapid treatment, often requiring emergency hospitalization.
If you suspect poisoning, ventilate the room immediately, turn off the heater if possible, evacuate the area and call for help. These poisonings occur mainly due to a lack of ventilation of the heated rooms and of defective or poorly maintained heating and hot water production installations (boiler, stove or water heater), in particular at the level of the evacuation ducts.
Recommendations to avoid intoxication
In order to avoid any risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, InVS recalls these recommendations which must be observed:
– In places of worship: only operate gas-fired radiant panels when the premises are occupied
– Never install a generator in a closed place (house, cellar, garage, etc.): it must be placed outside buildings.
– Never use an auxiliary combustion heater for a long time.
– Never use appliances not intended for this use for heating (braziers, camping stoves, ovens, barbecues, etc.)
– Never obstruct the ventilation grilles, even in very cold weather
– Ventilate your home daily, even in cold weather.
Listen to the InVS awareness campaign
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