Gas appliances, especially gas furnaces, can introduce carbon monoxide (CO) into your indoor air if they are not properly vented. My Father’s Mechanical can inspect your gas furnace to make sure that it is vented properly and is not releasing carbon monoxide inside your home. It’s important to get your family and pets out of the house at the first sign of carbon monoxide poisoning. Let’s talk about those signs below.
Chest Pain
Many people who are suffering from the inhalation of carbon monoxide complain that their chests hurt. You may also end up having difficulties breathing. In some cases, it might feel as if you have the flu or pneumonia. This is an indication you are inhaling CO gases.
Confusion
Confusion is also a common sign of carbon monoxide inhalation. Many times, people act as if they are drunk and feel sleepy. They may also be easily confused. If someone in your house is behaving in this manner. Get them to the emergency room right away.
Dizziness
Alongside confusion, CO poisoning can also cause you to feel extremely dizzy. In fact, you may feel so dizzy that you may think you have vertigo. Dizziness is also a sign of a stroke, so as with confusion, take the dizzy person to the emergency room as soon as possible.
Headache
If your house is filling with carbon monoxide, everyone will begin to complain of headaches. Unfortunately, taking an aspirin or other over-the-counter pain reliever will not relieve the headache. This is because you are continuing to inhale the CO gas.
Nausea
Many times, CO poisoning will make you feel nauseous. As we mentioned above, some people complained that they have the flu when they are actually being poisoned by carbon monoxide. Again, if your family acts as if they have the flu, get them out of the house immediately. Don’t forget the pets.
Vomiting
Part of the flu-like symptoms is vomiting. Inhalation of CO gas can make you so nauseous that you will end up vomiting. This is why many people confuse CO poisoning with the flu. Don’t take chances. If you have the slightest suspicion that there is carbon monoxide in your indoor air, get everyone out.
Weakness
Finally, weakness will also accompany the other symptoms if you have been poisoned by carbon monoxide. The best way to avoid this danger is to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home and test them once a month to make sure they are still working.
Another precaution you can take is to call My Father’s Mechanical in San Antonio, TX, for a heater inspection.