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4 people, 2 dogs treated for carbon monoxide poisoning in Sikeston
SIKESTON — Four people and two dogs were treated following the discovery of a carbon monoxide leak in their home early Tuesday in Sikeston.
At 9:25 a.m. Tuesday officers with Sikeston Department of Public Safety responded to a residence at 162 Lee St. in reference to a gas leak and at least one person unconscious, according to Chief James McMillen.
“The house did not have power, and a generator had been running for about a month,” McMillen said. “We believe as a fix to that, they put the generator in an attached closet connected the main structure.”
Without proper ventilation for the generator, carbon monoxide leaked into the home, according to McMillen.
“The two officers who arrived on scene first realized what was going on, and they went inside and pulled the two unconscious people out of the house. One of them was not feeling well and they both were transported to the hospital,” the DPS chief said.
Officers removed four individuals and two dogs from the residence. Scott County Ambulance Service provided oxygen to the individuals immediately after they’d been removed from the home, McMillen said.
“Fire crews conducted a primary search of the residence to ensure everyone was safely out of the home,” the chief said. “They used gas meters and detected high levels of carbon monoxide there, which, obviously, is dangerous.”
An electrical ventilation fan was used to push air through the front door and they opened a back window to flush the house, he said. Once the gas meter read at a safe level, then officers can leave the scene.
South Scott County Ambulance and New Madrid County Ambulance also responded to the scene. The four individuals were transported to a local hospital for treatment and the dogs were treated at the scene.
Also, during the inspection of the home to ensure no one else was inside, fire fighters located some suspected drug paraphernalia and applied for a search warrant for the residence, McMillen said.
“With carbon monoxide being heavier than air, it slowly builds up and makes its way in to the roof decking of a home and moves its way across the ceiling of the home and then falls to the floor and starts building up in that space to the point where people became unconscious and two were dizzy before they figured out something was going on,” McMillen said.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that kills without warning. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it claims the lives of hundreds of people every year and makes thousands more ill.
Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning includes dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and a red pigmentation of the skin.
“I think that’s why carbon monoxide poisoning is so deadly. People think they’re just getting sick, and when get sick they want to lay on the couch and take some aspirin,” McMillen said.
That’s where carbon monoxide detectors can make an impact, according to City of Sikeston Fire Marshal Zak Haskin. Carbon monoxide or combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should also be placed in homes, near every sleeping area if possible, he said.
“It’s best to place carbon monoxide detectors about five feet from the floor in common areas. If you can only have one detector, place it near any gas appliances,” Haskin said.
The best detectors are plug-in with a battery backup, and they should be tested monthly, he said, adding they range in price from $10 to $50.
If in a multi-story home, it’s good to have detectors on each floor and high-traffic areas. Owning a fire extinguisher and storing it in an easy access place but away from common fire sources, such as the kitchen, is a good idea, he said.
“Don’t run generators for supplemental power and if you are going to do it, make sure the generator is in a well ventilated area outdoors and more than 20 feet away from your home, doors and windows,” Haskin said.
With the fall season nearing, it’s also time for homeowners to check their heating sources.
“As we push into fall and colder weather, people will start turning furnaces back on, and they need to make sure equipment and appliances are working properly,” Haskin said.
Homeowners need to make sure vents are clear and pilot lights are operating properly, he said, adding flues should also be cleaned.