Gas Appliances and Flame-Burning Devices (such as gas stoves, oil burners, charcoal burners, and alcohol burners) require oxygen to burn. If there is insufficient air in the environment, these devices will burn incompletely and produce carbon monoxide gas. Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and toxic. It can lead to poisoning and even death.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
1. Avoid using gas stoves, grills, or burners (whether fueled by gas, oil, charcoal, or alcohol) inside tents, caravans, cabins, cars, or any other enclosed space, both for heating and cooking. Even if your cooking is done, these devices can continue emitting carbon monoxide for several hours after use.
2. If you need to use flame-burning heating or cooking devices inside a tent or building due to extreme cold weather, always keep a corner of the window open for ventilation during the entire time the device is on.
3. Never sleep inside a running car, even briefly. This can lead to fatal poisoning from carbon monoxide.
4. When considering a new temporary dwelling, ensure that heating appliances (such as oil or gas heaters), water heaters, and wall-mounted boilers are up to safety standards and functioning correctly. Also, check the chimney or exhaust system for these devices.
5. Recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, dizziness, throat irritation, chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and decreased alertness. Do not mistake these symptoms for common food poisoning or other travel-related illnesses.
6. If you have been in an enclosed space with a flame-burning device (such as an oil or gas heater, grill, or stove) and experience symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, immediately inform others, leave the area, and get fresh air.
7. If someone has been exposed to carbon monoxide and shows symptoms of poisoning, take them to an open area immediately, call emergency services (dial 911), or take them to a hospital or clinic.
8. Special care should be taken for infants, children, aged individuals, pregnant women, and those with cardiovascular conditions exposed to carbon monoxide. Even if they don’t exhibit symptoms, they should be examined by a doctor.
Remember to prioritize safety and take necessary precautions to avoid carbon monoxide exposure. 🌟
