Cold Weather Guidelines

 

For Immediate Release:                                                       

November 26, 2008                                                   

 

Cold Weather Guidelines:

Protect yourself and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning

 

LOS ANGELES - Cold weather has arrived in Los Angeles County, and the Department of Public Health would like to remind residents to use safe methods to heat their homes. Never use a barbeque, stove, or oven to heat your house.

 

"Every year in LA County there are carbon monoxide poisonings from a barbeque, stove, or oven used as a source of warmth," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "Using central heating, electric heaters, well-ventilated natural gas heaters or ventilated fireplaces are safer ways to stay warm. There are also places where people can go, such as public facilities or shelters, when the weather is too cold and other resources are not available."

 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by stoves, barbeques, ovens, and gas-powered appliances (such as generators). Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to death within minutes. Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be taken outside, into fresh air, immediately, and should be taken to an emergency room for immediate medical treatment. Young children and seniors are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

When heating your home:

• Check to make sure heating appliances are in good working condition before using them.
• Furnaces and fireplaces should be checked to ensure that chimneys or flues are not blocked to allow for proper ventilation.
• Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the risk of poisoning.
• If you use an outdoor generator, place it as far away from the home as possible, as carbon monoxide can seep into the home through windows, doors, and crawl spaces.

 

A winter shelter program is available for seniors and those looking for a place to beat cold weather. Locations and transportation information can be found on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's website at: http://www.lahsa.org/year_round_shelter.asp, or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone.

 

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

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