Winter Gas Poisoning Prevention Guide
I. What is Carbon Monoxide?
When gas burns, if there is insufficient oxygen (air), incomplete combustion will produce carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is the most common asphyxiating gas. It is colorless, odorless, and non-irritating. If the carbon monoxide concentration in the air reaches a certain level, it will cause poisoning.
II. What are the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
1. Mild Poisoning: Headache, dizziness, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, weakness in the limbs, and possible brief fainting; the patient is generally conscious. Symptoms will quickly subside after leaving the poisoned environment and inhaling fresh air, and there are usually no sequelae.
2. Moderate poisoning: Symptoms include excessive sweating, irritability, unsteady gait, pale skin, confusion, drowsiness, and weakness; timely and effective treatment can lead to a basic cure with very few sequelae.
3. Severe poisoning: Symptoms include loss of consciousness, lockjaw, convulsions, incontinence, and a cherry-red complexion and lips; accompanied by rapid breathing and pulse, elevated blood pressure, arrhythmia, lung rales, and possible fever.
III. Misconceptions about carbon monoxide poisoning
IV. How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
1. Replace Old, High-Risk Water Heaters
Direct-vent and flue-type gas water heaters are early products with limitations in structure and usage conditions. Poor ventilation can easily lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. If you are still using this type of water heater at home, please replace it as soon as possible for safety.
2. Properly Install Water Heaters
The flue pipe of balanced-flue and forced-draft water heaters must extend outdoors (beyond the roof drip line by 15cm), and the water heater must be installed in a well-ventilated area outside the bathroom (such as the kitchen or balcony).
Gas appliance installation must be carried out by qualified professionals according to regulations. Do not choose non-professionals for convenience, as this may leave safety hazards and make future repairs and replacements difficult.
3. Prevent Gas Appliances from "Exceeding Their Service Life"
According to national regulations, the service life of natural gas water heaters and stoves is 8 years. Even if the exterior appears intact, it should be replaced promptly after reaching its service life to avoid safety accidents caused by equipment aging.
4.Maintain ventilation during gas use. When the weather turns cool, do not close doors and windows tightly to keep warm. When using gas appliances (especially when gas is burning), be sure to keep indoor air circulating to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning at the source.
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