Winter's silent killer The colder weather is setting in, and everyone is sealing there houses up for the winter. While an air-tight house is good for your utility bill, it isn't always good for your health - particularly if carbon monoxide is present.
Carbon monoxide is emitted by stoves, gas cooking ranges, heating systems, and by burning wood and coal - so it's logical that there could be more of it in your home during the winter. But you'd ever know it, because it is invisible and odorless.
That's a problem, because carbon monoxide is toxic to humans. Prolonged exposure can cause headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or vomiting, chest pain, and confusion or disorientation. If you don't recognize the symptoms and get into fresh air, you can become unconscious - and eventually, die.
Make it a habit to have your stoves, heating systems and fireplaces inspected each fall before the real cold of winter sets in. And if you don't already have one, go out today and buy carbon monoxide detectors for your home. Most are small and unobtrusive, and come in electric and battery powered models. If you choose a battery operated model, just replace the batteries each spring and fall when you replace the batteries in your smoke detectors (you do have smoke detectors, don't you?)
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 There are times when medical news is too urgent to wait until the next issue, so Dr. Alan Inglis keeps in touch with you through House Calls.
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