Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

In the wake of several members of a family in a West Valley City home today suffering from probable carbon monoxide poisoning, please feel free to use or share any of these American Red Cross safety tips.

Carbon Monoxide (known by the chemical symbol CO) is a colorless and practically odorless gas. It is poisonous to people and animals, because it displaces oxygen in the blood. It is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal, or wood may produce CO. Burning charcoal produces CO. Running cars produce CO.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, every year over 200 people in the United States die from CO produced by fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters). Others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from CO produced by cars left running in attached garages. Several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms each year for treatment for CO poisoning.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Carbon Monoxide can have different affects on people based on its concentration in the air that people breathe. Because you can't smell, taste, or see it, you can not tell that CO gas is present. The health effects of CO depend on the level of CO and length of exposure, as well as each individual's health condition.

The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without fever). They include:

§ Headache

§ Fatigue

§ Shortness of breath

§ Nausea

§ Dizziness

Many people with CO poisoning mistake their symptoms for the flu or are misdiagnosed, which sometimes results in tragic deaths.

Because CO replaces oxygen in the blood, it can make people feel sleepy. Or, if they are asleep, it can prevent people from waking up.

At higher concentrations, people can experience impaired vision and coordination, headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. In very high concentrations, CO poisoning can cause death.

Buy and Install CO detectors/alarms
The American Red Cross recommends that everyone install CO detectors/alarms in homes and recreational vehicles.

§ Before buying a CO Alarm, check to make sure it is listed with Underwriter's Laboratories (UL), standard 2034, or there is information on the package or owner's manual that says that the detector/alarm meets the requirements of the IAS 6-96 standard.

§ Install a CO detector/alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home. Make sure the detector/alarm cannot be covered up by furniture or draperies. Follow manufacturer's instructions regarding the specific location where to install it. Avoid corners (where air does not circulate).

§ CO detectors/alarms are available for boats and recreational vehicles and should be used. The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association requires CO detectors/alarms to be installed in motor homes and in towable recreational vehicles that have a generator or are prepped for a generator.

What can you do to prevent CO poisoning?

Make sure appliances are installed according to manufacturer's instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals. A carbon monoxide detector/alarm can provide added protection, but is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO.

§ Have the heating system (including chimneys and vents) inspected and serviced annually. The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.

§ Only burn charcoal outdoors, never inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.

§ Do not use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.

§ Always make sure to turn off any gas-powered engine (car, truck, motorcycle, ATV, lawn mower, chain saw, or generator) inside an attached garage or basement. Even if the garage door is open, you can still be affected or killed by CO. If you must test the engine, take it outdoors before starting it.

§ Always refer to the owner's manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning appliances, and get help from a professional if you are unsure how to service such equipment.

§ Do not use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.

§ If you use a fuel-burning appliance for approved indoor uses (such as a heater), make sure it is vented to the outdoors following manufacturer's instructions. Do not use an unvented fuel-burning appliance in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping.

§ Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.

§ Open flues when fireplaces are in use.

§ Choose properly sized wood-burning stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood-burning stoves fit tightly.

§ Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.

What should you do if you experience symptoms of CO poisoning?

If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave your home. Then call your fire department and report your symptoms. You could lose consciousness and die if you do nothing. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified serviceperson checks them for malfunction.

What should you do when the CO detector/alarm sounds?
Treat the alarm signal as a real emergency each time. If the detector/alarm sounds and you are not experiencing any symptoms described above, press the reset button. If the detector/alarm continues to sound, call the fire department. Immediately leave your home until a professional checks to find the reason why the detector/alarm sounded, and any problems are fixed.

How to test a CO detector/alarm to make sure it is working
Follow the manufacturer's instructions. Using a test button, some detectors/alarms test whether the circuitry as well as the sensor which senses CO is working, while the test button on other detectors only tests whether the circuitry is working. For those units which test the circuitry only, some manufacturers sell separate test kits to help the consumer test the CO sensor inside the alarm.

References
This information was based on:

§ "Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers" developed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Bethesda, Maryland. CPSC Document #466.

§ "Sources of Indoor Air Pollution - Carbon Monoxide (CO)" developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.

If you have further questions, please contact your local Department of Public Health or local fire department.

Make a Tax-Deductible Gift to the American Red Cross

Make a Tax-Deductible Gift to the American Red Cross

Before the End of the Calendar Year

Across UTAH (December 29, 2009) -- The American Red Cross in Utah issues a call for donations. As 2009 draws to a close, the Red Cross looks to its generous donors – people who can make a tax-deductable donation -- who can save the day for families devastated by home fires and other disasters. Visit www.redcross.org/gifts to make a donation or learn more. Fast facts for donors:



* These have been turbulent economic times for families, businesses and for the Red Cross and other non-profits, with more and more people seeking help. History has proven that when Americans are in need, America responds. We are encouraging people to make a tax-deductable donation to the American Red Cross.
* The Red Cross also has a Gifts that Save the Day holiday giving campaign that makes it possible for people to “save the day” for those in need. Through gifts at www.redcross.org/gifts, people can make a donation this holiday season that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.
* It’s important to remember that the biggest disaster threat to families across our nation every day isn’t floods, hurricanes or tornadoes; it’s fire. As temperatures throughout the country plunge to single digits, many families are struggling to find the means and/or alternative methods to heat their homes.
* Last year, the American Red Cross responded to more than 63,000 fires. On average, nearly 47,000 fires occur during the winter holidays. The Red Cross in Utah responded to 114 disasters, about 90% of them were home fires.
* When families flee their burning homes, the Red Cross is on the scene, providing them with basic necessities – a warm place to stay, hot meals, comfort and support.
* The Red Cross is doing everything it can to increase capabilities, while at the same time seeking to hold down costs. The Red Cross is committed to making the best use of donor dollars, and is proud of the fact that 92 cents of every Red Cross dollar was spent on humanitarian services or programs for those in need. The Red Cross also meets the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability.
* Utahns can make donations to their local chapters if desired. Visit www.utahredcross.org and click on “Across Utah” to find information about local Utah Chapters or call the numbers listed below.

The American Red Cross in Utah issues a call for donations. As 2009 draws to a close, the Red Cross looks to its generous donors – people who can make a tax-deductable donation -- who can save the day for families devastated by home fires and other disasters. Visit www.redcross.org/gifts to make a donation or learn more. Fast facts for donors:

These have been turbulent economic times for families, businesses and for the Red Cross and other non-profits, with more and more people seeking help. History has proven that when Americans are in need, America responds. We are encouraging people to make a tax-deductable donation to the American Red Cross.
The Red Cross also has a Gifts that Save the Day holiday giving campaign that makes it possible for people to “save the day” for those in need. Through gifts at www.redcross.org/gifts, people can make a donation this holiday season that could provide food and shelter for a disaster victim for a day; a military comfort kit with a robe, phone card and other supplies for a wounded warrior; or a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.
It’s important to remember that the biggest disaster threat to families across our nation every day isn’t floods, hurricanes or tornadoes; it’s fire. As temperatures throughout the country plunge to single digits, many families are struggling to find the means and/or alternative methods to heat their homes.
Last year, the American Red Cross responded to more than 63,000 fires. On average, nearly 47,000 fires occur during the winter holidays. The Red Cross in Utah responded to 114 disasters, about 90% of them were home fires.
When families flee their burning homes, the Red Cross is on the scene, providing them with basic necessities – a warm place to stay, hot meals, comfort and support.
The Red Cross is doing everything it can to increase capabilities, while at the same time seeking to hold down costs. The Red Cross is committed to making the best use of donor dollars, and is proud of the fact that 92 cents of every Red Cross dollar was spent on humanitarian services or programs for those in need. The Red Cross also meets the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance’s Standards for Charity Accountability.
Utahns can make donations to their local chapters if desired. Visit http://www.utahredcross.org/ and click on “Across Utah” to find information about local Utah Chapters or call the numbers listed below.

About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580, Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache Valley Area/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000. Visit http://www.utahredcross.org/ click on “Across Utah.”

Babysitting Bootcamp

December 28 – 30th Babysitting Bootcamp training is underway at the American Red Cross. The Bootcamp runs December 28 – 30 from 9 am to 3 pm at the Red Cross Chapter office located at 555 East 300 South, Suite 200 in Salt Lake City.


This bootcamp session was a big hit and is sold out. The next bootcamp will be held during spring break or custom classes can be arranged anytime by groups of 6 or more individuals.

18 youth from ages 11 – 15 will be learning first aid, CPR, age appropriate babysitting activities, emergency preparedness and much more.

Is your babysitter Red Cross certified?

Children who qualify for the hot lunch program or members of military families qualify for scholarships for the courses.

16 military family members signed up to participate in this particular bootcamp.. many of them are members of family with one parent deployed and away from home.

If you need to contact the instructor her name is Kara Taggart and her cell phone is 801-698-3019. She and students in the class will also available for interviews.

12 Days of Holiday Safety

Twelve Days of Holiday Safety from the American Red Cross in Utah



In the spirit of the season, the American Red Cross offers 12 holiday safety tips.





Across Utah, (December 14, 2009) —With last-minute gifts to buy, social events to attend and family and friends to visit while the weather outside is frightful, the American Red Cross has 12 days of health and safety tips to make the holiday season safe, happy and bright.



1. Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Make an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, tow rope.



2. Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm, but if you must, keep your gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive.



3. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests.



4. Prevent hypothermia by following Santa’s lead. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.



5. Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed; monitor safe play and actively engage your child; and some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR.



6. Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts over an open fire. Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and be alert. Keep anything flammable—such as potholders, towels or curtains—away from your stove top. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.



7. Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. Your local Red Cross chapter has conveniently scheduled courses and can have you trained and certified in a few hours.



8. Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. When you designate a driver who won’t be drinking, you help make sure a good party doesn’t turn into a tragedy. A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers. The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.



9. When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.

10. Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned by a professional; change the filters regularly. Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture. Close off any rooms you aren’t using and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround your windows and door moldings. Put up storm windows or storm doors to keep the cold out.



11. Don’t move a muscle, until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off. Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat.



12. Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. You can take one or more actions to prepare now, should you or your family face an emergency in 2010. Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. For more info visit www.utahredcross.org or call 801-323-7000 during business hours.


Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday from the American Red Cross in Utah.



Visit www.utahredcross.org to learn more about your local Red Cross and the services it provides to our community. Click on “Across Utah” for chapters outside of the Salt Lake area.

Red Cross Helps Family of Four after Home Fire

The American Red Cross Helps Family of Four after Home Fire

Ogden, UTAH (Sunday, December 13, 2009) — The American Red Cross in Northern Utah helped a family of four today after a fire ripped through their home. A mother, father, son and aunt were all affected. The Red Cross disaster action team helped the family with shelter for one night and food. The fire damage was in the attic, so the family’s possessions and clothing were saved, along with the family dog and hamster. The house fire occurred in the 2800 block of Monroe Boulevard.

Red Cross Chapters in Utah responded to 114 incidents this past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

How People Can Help:
Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, or your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.
Northern Utah Chapter - Ogden Area (801) 627-0000 www.redcrossutah.org

Twelve Days of Holiday Safety from the American Red Cross in Utah

In the spirit of the season, the American Red Cross offers 12 holiday safety tips.


With last-minute gifts to buy, social events to attend and family and friends to visit while the weather outside is frightful, the American Red Cross has 12 days of health and safety tips to make the holiday season safe, happy and bright.

1. Prepare your vehicle for traveling to grandmother’s house. Make an emergency kit and include items such as blankets or sleeping bags, jumper cables, fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type), compass and road maps, shovel, tire repair kit and pump, extra clothing, flares, tow rope.

2. Drive your sleigh and reindeer safely. Avoid driving in a storm, but if you must, keep your gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing. Let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive.

3. Help prevent the spread of the flu. Wash hands with soap and water as often as possible, or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Use sanitizing wipes to disinfect hard surfaces such as airplane tray tables, luggage handles, cell phones, door handles and seat armrests.

4. Prevent hypothermia by following Santa’s lead. Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears. Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia, including confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.

5. Use a Red Cross-trained babysitter when attending holiday festivities. Red Cross-certified babysitters learn to administer basic first aid; properly hold and feed a child; take emergency action when needed; monitor safe play and actively engage your child; and some may be certified in Infant and Child CPR.

6. Avoid danger while roasting chestnuts over an open fire. Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking and be alert. Keep anything flammable—such as potholders, towels or curtains—away from your stove top. Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are prepared or carried.

7. Be a lifesaver during the holidays and always. The Red Cross recommends at least one person in every household should be trained and certified in first aid and CPR/AED. Your local Red Cross chapter has conveniently scheduled courses and can have you trained and certified in a few hours.

8. Designate a driver or skip the holiday cheer. When you designate a driver who won’t be drinking, you help make sure a good party doesn’t turn into a tragedy. A good host ensures there are non-alcoholic beverages available for drivers. The designated driver should not drink any alcoholic beverages, not even one.

9. When the weather outside is frightful, heat your home safely. Never use your stove or oven to heat your home. Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended. Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.
10. Cut down on your heating bills without being a Grinch. Get your furnace cleaned by a professional; change the filters regularly. Make sure heat vents aren’t blocked by furniture. Close off any rooms you aren’t using and close heat vents or turn off radiators in those rooms. Use either insulating tape or caulking strips to surround your windows and door moldings. Put up storm windows or storm doors to keep the cold out.

11. Don’t move a muscle, until they buckle. Each person in your vehicle should have their seatbelts securely fastened before driving off. Ensure children are buckled up and their car seats are installed appropriately based on their age and size. Children 12 and under should always sit in the backseat.

12. Resolve to Be Red Cross Ready in the New Year. You can take one or more actions to prepare now, should you or your family face an emergency in 2010. Get a kit. Make a plan. Be informed. For more info visit www.utahredcross.org or call 801-323-7000 during business hours.
Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday from the American Red Cross in Utah.

Visit www.utahredcross.org to learn more about your local Red Cross and the services it provides to our community. Click on “Across Utah” for chapters outside of the Salt Lake area.

-END-
About the American Red Cross in Utah: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; teaches lifesaving skills; supplies blood to 30 area hospitals; and supports military members and their families. The organization also provides emergency utility assistance and international family tracing services. The American Red Cross is a nonprofit organization, not a government funded agency, which depends entirely upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. Donate your time or resources to your local Red Cross: Mountain Valley Chapter/Provo (801) 373-8580, Northern Utah Chapter/Ogden (801) 627-0000, Cache Valley Area/Logan (435)752-1125, Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter 801-323-7000. Visit www.utahredcross.org click on “Across Utah.”

Gift idea

Hanukkah starts tonight. Gift Idea. Emergency help for 1 disaster victim. $75. Donate in the name of a friend at www.redcross.org/gifts and you'll have the option to send them a Red Cross e-card to let them know about your donation in their name for the holidays.

Bringing Comfort to Family of Four after Fire

Local Chapter of the American Red Cross on the Scene

Bringing Comfort to Family of Four after Fire


Salt Lake City, UTAH ( Thursday, December 03, 2009)— This morning, the Greater Salt Lake Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is helping a family of four after a fire at their apartment in the 100 South block of Lincoln Street (900 East) in Salt Lake City. American Red Cross disaster action team volunteers are helping the father and three sons as needed with essential needs like clothing, food and shelter. The family woke up to the smell of smoke and escaped safely.

The American Red Cross in Utah responded to 114 incidents this past year, some of them rendering multiple families homeless. Nationwide, the American Red Cross’s local chapters help victims of major and minor disasters by offering immediate comfort, which may include food, a warm place to stay, clothing and other life necessities. Volunteers give comfort kits to victims of fire, flood or other disasters. The kits include helpful items like toothbrushes, toothpaste and a toy for children.

Help people affected by disasters, like this fire, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, or your local Chapter. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters.