Be Careful of Carbon Monoxide While Shoveling Out Your Car
Many of you have heard about the Bronx tragedy where two small children suffered carbon monoxide poisoning as they sat in their car as their mother cleared it of snow. The car was running to keep the small children warm while the most recent snow fall was removed from around the car. What the children's mother didn't realize was that snow had blocked up the tailpipe, causing dangerous carbon monoxide to vent into the closed car.
When clearing snow, before starting your car, make sure that you have removed the snow from around the tailpipe. If you are unsure, leave a window slightly open if you are sitting in your car with the engine running, waiting for it to warm up. This will allow any carbon monoxide to escape while providing you with fresh air. Even if your car's tail pipe appears to be clear, small holes in the exhaust system may also allow carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. If you are lucky enough to have your car in a garage, limit the time how long you keep the car started as exhaust fumes will eventually work their way into your house, placing your family at risk. Make sure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors on all floors of your house. If the alarm goes off, open the windows and get out of the house.
Carbon monoxide provides no warning; it is colorless and odorless, rendering you unconscious if you are exposed to high enough levels. Once you slip into unconsciousness, unless someone moves you into fresh air, your chance for recovery from carbon monoxide poisoning is poor. Since more snow is expected in the coming weeks, please take a few minutes to ensure you and your family's safety during this dangerous winter weather.
