[Carbon Monoxide] [Poison Prevention] [Heat & Cold Related Illness] [Heart Attack]

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LIFE SAVING TIPS

CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless, odorless, colorless gas that has the potential to be deadly.  Stoves, water heaters, furnaces and cars can produce carbon monoxide.  At low exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning is often mistaken for the flu or a cold.  Symptoms include headache, nausea and fatigue.  If you detect these symptoms, especially in children, for several days or more, see a physician and have your home checked by a professional for sources of carbon monoxide and have appropriate repairs made. You can minimize the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning by following these procedures:

• Have your chimney, fireplace and venting pipes checked and cleaned annually.
• Be sure your heating appliances are properly installed and vented.
• If you choose to purchase and install carbon monoxide detectors, follow manufacturer's instructions for installation, testing and replacement.

POISON PREVENTION

• Buy medicines with childproof caps.
• Keep all medications and household products locked away, well out of the reach of children.
• Install special clamps to keep toddlers from opening cabinets.
• Keep products in their original containers with the labels in place.
• Use poison symbols to identify dangerous substances, and teach your children what the symbols mean.
• Don't take or give any medicine in the dark.
• Never tell children that medicine is or tastes like candy.
• Use products that give off fumes only in well ventilated areas.
• Dispose of outdated products as recommended.
• During work or recreation that may put you in contact with a poisonous product, set a good example by wearing proper protective clothing such as gloves or a mask.

If you suspect someone has swallowed a poison, try to find out:

• What type of poison was taken.
• How much was taken.
• When it was taken.

This information will help you and others provide the most appropriate care.

• Call 911 or your local emergency number or poison control center in your area.

 

HEAT AND COLD RELATED ILLNESSES

Exposure to extreme heat or cold may make a person seriously ill.  The likelihood of illness also depends on physical activity, clothing, wind, humidity, working and living conditions, and
a person's age and state of health. Follow these steps to care for heat related illnesses:

• Get the victim out of the heat.
• Loosen tight clothing.
• Remove perspiration soaked clothing.
• Apply cool, wet cloths to the skin or spray mist with water.
• Fan the victim.
• If victim is conscious, give cool water to drink.
• Call 911 or local emergency number if victim refuses water, vomits, or starts to lose consciousness.
• If victim suffers from sunburn, follow the care guidelines for treating burns.

Follow these steps to care for cold related illnesses:

• Call 911 or local emergency number.
• Care for any life threatening problems.
• Move the victim to a warm place if you can; handle gently.
• Remove any wet clothing and dry the victim.
• Warm the victim slowly by wrapping in blankets or putting on dry clothes including a hat.
• Apply other sources of heat if available (chemical heat packs or hot water bottles) under the blankets.

Follow these steps to care for a victim of frostbite:

• Cover affected area.
• Handle gently, don't rub.
• Soak affected part In water lOO- to lO5 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Do not let affected part touch bottom or sides of container.
• Keep in water until red and warm.
• Avoid using a space heater, hair dryer, or other portable heating equipment to warm someone up.
• Avoid breaking blisters.
• Bandage with dry, clean dressing.
• Do not allow affected area to refreeze.
• Do not allow victim to walk on thawed feet until all feeling has returned.
• Call 911 or local emergency number to transport the victim to a medical facility.

 

SIGNALS OF A HEART ATTACK

• Persistent chest pain or discomfort.
• Pain may spread to shoulder, arm or jaw.
• Breathing difficulty/nausea.
• Skin appearance - pale or blue skin, moisture on face or profuse sweating.

 

CARING FOR A VICTIM OF A HEART ATTACK

• Call 911 or your local emergency number for help immediately.
• Convince the victim to stop activity and rest.
• Help the victim to rest comfortably. Loosen restrictive clothing.
• Assist with medication, if prescribed.
• Monitor the victim's condition.
• Be prepared to give CPR if the victim's heart stops heating.

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[Carbon Monoxide] [Poison Prevention] [Heat & Cold Related Illness] [Heart Attack]

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August 29, 1999