1000 SW Jackson
Suite 230
Topeka, KS 66612-1274
(785) 296-1223
(785) 296-8645 (FAX)

Coordinator:
Jan Stegelman

Executive Committee
Dennis Cooley, MD
Medical Advisor
American Academy of
Pediatrics, Kansas
Chapter

Vanda Easley
State Farm Insurance
Companies

Cindy Hermes
State Capitol Area
Firefighters Association

Ami Hyten
Kansas Trial Lawyers
Association

Elena Nuss
Kansas State
Fire Marshall's Office

Rosanne Rutkowski
Kansas State Nurses
Association

Cindy Yelkin
Kansas Hospital
Association

Protect Your Child From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With fall and winter just around the corner, now is the time for families to protect themselves and their children from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide, a deadly yet common household poison produced by fuel burning appliances, claims the lives of approximately 24 children ages 14 and under and poisons more than 2,300 children ages five and under annually.

"Infants and children are especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning because they have higher metabolic rates and the gas accumulates in their small bodies faster than in adults," said Jan Stegelman, Coordinator, Kansas SAFE KIDS. "The first thing parents and caregivers should do to protect their families from carbon monoxide poisoning is to purchase CO detectors and place them in every sleeping area of the home. Because carbon monoxide poisoning is a silent killer, a detector could literally mean the difference between life and death."

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that cuts off oxygen to the brain and heart, and can cause death and neurological damage. Because carbon monoxide is odorless and tasteless, it can be extremely difficult to detect and the symptoms often mimic the flu. "Low-level exposure to carbon monoxide over a long period of time can be just as harmful as high concentrations over a short period of time," said Stegelman. "Even with annual maintenance of appliances and flue systems, you never know when a malfunction might occur. A detector performs the important job of monitoring air quality in the home at all times."

Kansas SAFE KIDS offers these tips to protect your child from carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install a UL-approved carbon monoxide detector. CO detectors should be installed in every separate sleeping area, on the ceiling at least 15 feet from fuel-burning appliances.
• If the CO alarm goes off, leave the home immediately and call the fire department or your local utility company. If a family member displays symptoms of CO poisoning, seek medical attention right away.
• Ensure that space heaters, furnaces, fireplaces, and wood-burning stoves are vented properly and inspected annually.
• Have your chimney cleaned each year before cold weather arrives.
• Never leave your car's engine running in the garage, particularly if your garage is attached to your home.
• Do not leave your car engine running when your car is parked or covered in snow.
• Never use an oven to heat your home.

Kansas SAFE KIDS, Inc. is a nonprofit coalition of 67 statewide organizations and businesses dedicated to preventing unintentional injuries to Kansas children ages 0-14. Local coalitions and chapters are located in Anderson, Clay, Dickinson, Doniphan, Douglas, Ford, Franklin, Johnson, Marion, Montgomery, Osage, Pottawatomie, Rice, Saline, and Shawnee Counties, as well as Chanute, Hutchinson, Junction City, Leavenworth, Manhattan, Norton, Pittsburg, and Wichita. Kansas SAFE KIDS is affiliated with the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.