My family and I were all poisoned by carbon monoxide when I was a little girl. My memory is a pretty fuzzy (poisoning will do that to you), but I distinctly remember the headache that we all shared. Later came the nausea and dizziness . . . and then a fireman told us that we had carbon monoxide leaking from our gas furnace. Carbon monoxide poisoning is serious.
It can sneak up on you if you don’t pay attention. Get carbon monoxide detectors and learn the symptoms—if you and your family see the signs, get to fresh air and call for help.
Low-level exposure
- Shortness of breath
- Mild nausea
- Mild headaches
Moderate-level exposure
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Light-headedness
Carbon monoxide poisoning is said to resemble the flu. So if you have flu-like symptoms, go ahead and see a doctor—whether it is the flu or carbon monoxide poisoning, you will be glad you did.
Carbon monoxide poisoning could result in death. Should you experience carbon monoxide poisoning, fresh air is your first priority. Go outside if you can. If there are others who can’t move, open all windows.
