A frightening fact about carbon monoxide is that it’s colorless, odorless, and tasteless making it extremely difficult to detect at unsafe levels.  While we are all exposed to it in the very air we breathe every day, it can be fatal at highly concentrated levels.

Carbon monoxide is present in fumes from cars, trucks, wood-burning stoves and fire places, gas ranges, gas engines, gas heating systems, charcoal, and lanterns.  When using any of these, proper venting to an outside air source is mandatory in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

These common symptoms may be an indication of carbon monoxide poisoning:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • General malaise (weakness and feeling lethargic)
  • Chest pains
  • Regurgitating
  • Feelings of dizziness

The listed symptoms are associated with viruses and other common minor illnesses, which make it difficult to associate with carbon monoxide poisoning, thus, exacerbating a the situation. Too many wrongful deaths occur in Portland and across the country because this dangerous situation goes undetected.

CO Poisoning is more Likely to Occur During the Winter in Portland

Carbon monoxide poisoning is more common during the cold winter months in Portland when people are more likely to use their fireplaces, forgetting to open the vent, or leave their vehicle running in the garage to warm it up, and fail to back it out of the garage far enough to prevent the gas fumes from circulating back into the house.  Other causes include malfunctioning gas heating systems, or older systems that have outdated or defective venting.  Any type of wood burning heater or stove improperly vented is another dangerous source of carbon monoxide.

Tragically, some individuals have attempted to keep themselves and their families warm using charcoal heaters without any venting resulting in wrongful deaths.

If you have been injured or lost a loved one due to carbon monoxide poisoning, contact Savage Law Firm in Portland for a free consultation to determine how you can receive the compensation you and your loved ones deserve for your injuries or loss.