Health Tips for January 14

Health Tip: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can lead to serious illness or death if inhaled in significant amounts.

Potential sources include: unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, furnaces, wood stoves, gas stoves, fireplaces and water heaters, and automobile exhaust.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning could include tiredness, headache, confusion, nausea and dizziness.

The National Safety Council offers these suggestions to help protect you and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Make sure that every appliance in your home is installed properly and is working correctly.
• Have your furnace, chimneys and flues inspected and cleaned each year.
• If using a fireplace, make sure the flue is open.
• Never heat your home with a gas range or oven.
• Be sure that your stove and furnace vent outdoors and there are no leaks in the exhaust systems. Also make sure that your furnace takes in enough fresh air.
• Never burn charcoal indoors or in any enclosed space, such as in a camper or R.V.
• Never leave a gas-fueled tool or vehicle running inside a garage or tool shed, or anywhere indoors.
• Never use kerosene or gas heaters indoors.

Health Tip: Keep Bathroom Chemicals Locked Up

The bathroom may be full of potential dangers and temptations for young children.

Here are suggestions to prevent little hands from getting into bathroom chemicals or medications, courtesy of the National Safety Council:

• Always keep drugs stored in a medicine cabinet that is secured with a lock or child-proof latch.
• All medications should have a child-proof cap, and make sure it is secure and tight.
• Mouthwash may contain alcohol, which even in small amounts can be dangerous for children. Keep mouthwash away from a child's reach.
• When throwing away expired or unused medications, make sure the containers are secure and cannot be opened by children.
• Store toilet cleaners -- which often contain toxic chemicals -- in a locked area that children cannot reach.