The East End Fire Department says a Jasper County resident is undergoing hospital treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning following a Tuesday morning incident.
According to information released by the department, it began when Eric Montes of McAdams Propane went to the house on County Road 279 to check on a space heater, and he called 911 when he realized that the homeowner was disoriented and showing signs of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The department said Allegiance EMS rushed the person to Jasper Memorial Hospital, and from there the patient was flown by medical helicopter to another hospital for a higher level of care.
Meanwhile, the department’s post said that it’s “Always a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector if you have gas appliances or potential of carbon monoxide poisoning.”
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can kill you.
Where is Carbon Monoxide found?
Carbon monoxide is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. Carbon monoxide can build up indoors and poison people and animals who breathe it.
What are the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
The most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Carbon monoxide symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of carbon monoxide it can make you pass out or kill you. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before they have symptoms.
What can I do to protect myself?
Carbon monoxide detectors and combination smoke/carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased at most retail stores, and they cost anywhere from $10.00 to $40.00.