Carbon monoxide poisoning is on the rise in storm-battered Texas in winter

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People use their grills, cars, and generators to heat their homes – and that’s why carbon monoxide poisoning is on the rise.

At least 300 cases and two fatalities related to carbon monoxide have been reported in Harris County since Tuesday, Judge Lina Hidalgo said in a statement. Updating of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

Hidalgo called the poisonings a “disaster within disaster,” adding that the numbers coming out of Harris County are “just the tip of the iceberg.”

Doctors call it a public health emergency

As of Monday, the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston has seen more than 100 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, a spokesman told CNN.

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“We do see some cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in cold weather,” said the spokesman. “But we don’t usually see that many patients in such a short time.

Given the influx of patients, doctors in the hospital view the situation as a “very serious public health emergency”.

The Cy-Fair Fire Department in Harris County, too issued a warning this week, saying the department transported 14 people, including at least seven children who were poisoned by carbon monoxide in just 24 hours.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Most poisoning is attributed to the use of outdoor equipment inside.

Appliances such as grills, campfire stoves, generators, and car engines all release carbon monoxide, which can cause sudden illness or death at certain levels when inhaled, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, making it difficult to detect exposure, but it can sometimes cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, or weakness.
A critical way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning is to avoid using devices that dissipate it indoors for heat, the CDC advises.
This means that no cars drive in attached garages, do not burn anything in unvented stoves or fireplaces, and do not bring generators inside

The Memorial Hermann Health System said patient care was not affected by the spike in poisoning at this time. The system will continue to monitor the situation closely.

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