With the hurricane season approaching, the Center for Wound Care and Hyperbolic Medicine at Springhill Medical Center in Mobile would like to remind residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas found as a by-product in combustion fumes, such as those produced by generators, small gasoline engines, stoves, lanterns, and gas ranges, or by burning charcoal and wood. CO from these sources can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces such as your home, office, garage, car, caravan, or boat. People and animals in these enclosed spaces can be poisoned and can die from breathing CO.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there were 78 CO related poisonings in Alabama and Texas that resulted in 10 fatalities from portable generators after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"This year’s hurricane season is being predicted to be a busy one, and we hope that the community will be more aware of the health risks and danger that CO poisoning can present," said Julio Garcia, RN, CHT, director of Springhill’s Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine.

The Centers for Disease Control and other health organizations investigated these 78 CO poisonings and found that more than 50 percent of the cases involved generators placed outside, but close to the home. In half of the cases, the generator was placed near a window air conditioner, which could potentially bring generator exhaust from outside into the home. Only one of the 18 households had a functioning CO detector.

Portable generators should only be used outside, far from homes and window air conditioners. Be especially careful to use generators and grills in well ventilated areas during power outages.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently featured Mr. Garcia of Springhill’s Center for Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine at its Public Health Preparedness Regional Conference. He addressed health and preparedness professionals and highlighted best practice models and fresh approaches that can be replicated throughout the different states to prevent CO poisoning associated with portable generator use.