LONGVIEW/GREGG COUNTY (KYTX) - The Journal of the American Medical Association lists carbon monoxide poisoning as the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S., about 300 deaths per year.
It's odorless, colorless, it's tasteless, and it can silently kill you.
It was a close call for a Longview family of five Saturday morning.
"To my understanding, they did have a working carbon monoxide detector. However, I'm not sure they heeded the warnings of the device," Longview Fire Marshal Johnny Zackary said. "So having the device and not heeding the warnings of it can be very dangerous."
On Monday, Zackary warned people to have a working carbon monoxide detector, and pay attention to it. When the family, including three children, that lived on Wylie Circle in South Longview got sick Saturday, they had no idea their water heater was releasing the deadly gas into their home.
At low levels of exposure to carbon monoxide, you could have symptoms that feel like the flu, such as dizziness, light-headedness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue.
"The first thing you need to do is open the house up and get out of the home," Zackary said. "If it's a false alarm, that's fine, but err on the side of safety."
Zackary showed us how easy it is to install a carbon monoxide detector. But there are other ways to keep your family safe.
Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil, or coal burning appliance serviced by a qualified technician every year.
Don't use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors.
If you smell an odor from your gas refrigerator's cooling unit, have an expert service it.
Purchase gas equipment that carries the seal of a national testing agency.
And install a battery-operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home, and check or replace the battery each spring and fall.
"When it comes to something that could save your life, cutting corners is typically not the way to go," Zackary said. "So, invest in safety because it could pay off in saving your family's life."
Zackary suggests you have a professional come in, take a look at it and make sure that all leaks are taken care of, to prevent any carbon monoxide from leaking into your home or business.
