Silent Killer Lurks in Canadian Homes

[five_alarm]

TORONTO, ON - More than half of Canadians do not perceive carbon monoxide poisoning to be a serious risk despite it being the number one cause of accidental death in North America finds a January 2005 National OmniCan study commissioned by Kidde(R).

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless and tasteless gas and is one of the least understood dangers around the home. Per the study results, young people aged 18 - 24, are the least aware of the causes of CO poisoning (24 per cent), and alarmingly, 16 per cent of the total 1,501 Canadians surveyed could not name a single risk factor.


Source: newswire.ca (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2005/22/c6903.html&linkid=1495&parent=news(headlines)&)

[five_alarm]

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI - Some P.E.I. rinks think it is time the province made use of carbon monoxide detectors mandatory. Most of the province's 27 rinks don't have permanent carbon monoxide detectors. Operators can borrow three portable detectors if they want to check the levels inside their buildings.

Mike Connolly is president of the P.E.I. Recreation and Facilities Association. He's also the manager of Gateway Arena in Borden/Carleton. He said that two of his employees ended up on sick leave because of the headaches from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Source: cbc.ca (http://www.cbc.ca/pei/story/pe_rink_20050110.html)

[five_alarm]

SAINT JOHN, NB - A New Brunswick hockey arena was evacuated Friday, after higher-than-normal levels of carbon monoxide were detected inside during a hockey game.

Dozens of fans were forced to leave the Peter G. Murray Arena in Saint John while fire officials checked inside. A fire department spokesman said the carbon monoxide came from a leak in a Zamboni.

The arena has equipment installed to detect carbon monoxide, though it wasn't clear whether the system picked up the gas. Jeff Randall, who was at the arena for Friday night's game, said he saw a thick fog before fans were told to leave.

Source: canada.com (http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=5312c7af-12d9-44c8-8c45-8281a8902c45&k=64716)

[five_alarm]

PETERBOROUGH, ON - A Peterborough man was found dead in the basement of his new home on Saturday after being overcome by carbon monoxide fumes, police say.

City of Kawartha Lakes OPP say Geoff Thrussell, 40, was inside the house on Northside Road in Emily Township with a generator going and no windows open.

Const. Mary Anne Byrne said Mr. Thrussell was using the generator for heat, but there wasn't adequate ventilation in that area of the house, which was still under construction.

Source: mykawartha.com (http://www.mykawartha.com/ka/news/kawartha_lakes/story/3254204p-3768140c.html)

[five_alarm]

TORONTO, ON - The Toronto Transit Commission's recent carbon- monoxide emergency reminds us of the invisible threat that carbon-monoxide can pose. Carbon monoxide (CO), often referred to as the "silent killer," is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas produced by incomplete burning of fuels. CSA International (http://www.csa-international.org/), a leading provider of product testing and certification services, provides the following tips to help Canadians protect themselves from CO poisoning:

- Level it: Install a CO alarm near bedrooms and close to your furnace....
- Test, and re-test: CO alarms should be tested regularly...
- Respect the rules: Follow the manufacturer's instructions...
- Buy the Blue Flame: Check for the mark of an accredited certification...
- Keep it clean: To help prevent CO hazards in your home...
- Fresh Air: Always use gas-powered tools in a well-ventilated area.

Source: newswire.ca (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2006/08/c0537.html)

[five_alarm]

EDMONTON, AB - A family of four had to spend some time in Misericordia Hospital's oxygen-rich hyperbaric chamber Saturday morning after being poisoned by carbon monoxide. "We think they might have been exposed for eight hours," said Craig O'Callaghan, operations superintendent with Emergency Medical Services.

The four family members -- two adults and two children ages 11 and 14 -- were found in a house near 45th Street and 118th Avenue shortly after 6 a.m. Three paramedics who entered the house to help the family noticed large amounts of particulates in the air.

Source: canada.com (http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/cityplus/story.html?id=5f24c917-0a8e-4607-88d9-39de067d038a&k=74423)

[bestcoast]

Hate reading about preventable accidents especially this close to christmas..........:(........................BC... ............

Burnaby (NEWS1130) - An elderly man and woman have been found dead in their North Burnaby home. Burnaby RCMP say the couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning. Officers located a gasoline-powered generator inside the home, which had been running due to the recent power outages.

All of the windows and doors to the house were closed. Police warn generators produce toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, and should be kept outside in a well-ventilated area where the exhaust can’t enter your home. The names of the deceased have not been released.

Source: www.news1130.com