10 people hospitalized in Ottawa after carbon monoxide poisoning: What to know about the 'silent killer' and how to keep your family safe this winter

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Ten Ottawa residents were taken to hospital over the weekend due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning believed to be caused by a car left running inside a closed garage. According to the CBC, police, paramedics and fire crew were called to Ottawa’s Vanier neighbourhood on Sunday around 9:15 a.m. to treat six adults and four children for suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

A spokesperson for the Ottawa Paramedics Serve told the CBC that nine patients were taken to hospital in “serious condition” along with one adult who reportedly had no vital signs.

"It's our understanding that the family that lives at the address is new to Canada," Ottawa Police Service acting Insp. Scott Pettis told the CBC.

"They're not really familiar with the cold. And they did run their vehicle to make it warm for them to travel at some point — not knowing that they then had to open their garage door to properly [and] adequately ventilate the area."

But what exactly is carbon monoxide poisoning, and should you be worried about experiencing a similar incident? Read on to learn more about the health hazard and how to keep your family safe this winter.

What is carbon monoxide poisoning?

When there's too much carbon monoxide in the air, your body replaces the oxygen in your red blood cells with the gas. Carbon monoxide is produced when you burn gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal or other fuel, and it only worsens in enclosed spaces.

What's dangerous about carbon monoxide is that it's odourless, tasteless and colourless. It's sometimes referred to as the "silent killer," and in many cases, people will ignore early signs of poisoning and eventually lose consciousness.

What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning?

While carbon monoxide can't be detected by our senses, there are physical symptoms that indicated whether a person has been exposed to high levels of the gas. At low levels, carbon monoxide poisoning may resemble flu symptoms, including tiredness, headaches, shortness of breath and impaired motor functions, according to Health Canada.

However, higher levels of carbon monoxide poisoning can include dizziness, chest pain, poor vision, difficulty thinking, convulsions, loss of consciousness as well as coma or death. It's especially dangerous for children and people with preexisting conditions, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

What are the long-term impacts of carbon monoxide poisoning?

While most carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms occur immediately, sometimes the effects don't arise until weeks later. When you're exposed to the gas, the amount of time you have before experiencing certain symptoms like loss of consciousness depends on various factors, including how large the space is and whether it has proper ventilation.

Newfoundland-based anesthesiologist and specialist in hyperbaric medicine Dr. Ken LeDez previously told Yahoo Canada that opening a door or window may not be enough to prevent damage. He added carbon monoxide poisoning can cause "severe neurologic damage," including conditions like depression, severe memory loss and "Parkinson's disease-type symptoms." Moreover, he noted it's important to manage any prolonged symptoms — such as dizziness or impaired cognitions — with treatment as soon as possible.

"I've seen many, many patients who have not sought treatment, who have had long-term consequences and are basically unable to work ever again," he shared.

What do you do if you suspect someone has carbon monoxide poisoning?

If you believe someone has been affected by carbon monoxide poisoning, make sure to open windows and doors quickly, or evacuate the home and call 911. Firefighters have the necessary equipment to measure the levels of carbon monoxide in the home.

Make sure you also protect yourself by going outside and getting fresh air after being in the affected space.

Is carbon monoxide poisoning risk higher in winter?

According to Health Canada, the greatest risk of carbon monoxide poisoning occurs during the winter when furnaces, wood stoves, water heaters and other appliances are in frequent use. Carbon monoxide is produced whenever you burn fuel like oil, coal, butane, propane, natural gas, wood, gasoline, including in vehicle exhaust.

Sources of carbon monoxide include:

• Hot water tanks

• Clothes dryers

• Furnaces

• Fireplaces

• Clogged chimneys

• Wood and pellet stoves

• Generators

• Snowblowers

• Wood burning appliances

• Grills and barbecues

• Jet boilers

• Camping stoves

• Vehicle and boat engines

• Lawn mowers

The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning is high when appliances are malfunctioning, installed incorrectly or are used in areas that are not properly ventilated.

How do you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Install a carbon monoxide detector

Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable with proper tools and maintenance. The most important way to keep your family safe is by outfitting your home with a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector. You should install one on each level of your home and near the bedrooms, replacing the batteries twice a year.

Ensure that your fuel-based appliances are serviced annually

The Canadian Red Cross shared it's also important to have fuel-based appliances and equipment serviced annually by a qualified professional.

Avoid un-vented space heaters

Unvented space heaters pose a serious risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Vented space heaters are preferred, since combustion exhausts are moved outside via a chimney or vent pipe.

You'll want to have your vented space heater installed by a professional and serviced annually to ensure safety.

Avoid heating your car in a closed area

Many of us want to warm up our cars during the winter. However, it's important that you never leave your car running in an enclosed area like your garage.

Ensure your garage is open fully before turning on your vehicle or using remote start to start your vehicle.

Never leave your child in an idling car

Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen within minutes for young children. Never leave your child unattended in an running vehicle, even if you're outside.

In 2003, an 18-month old girl in Montreal died of carbon monoxide poisoning in her father's car while he shovelled out the vehicle. Police said snowbank blocking the vehicle's tailpipe caused carbon monoxide to leak into the vehicle, killing the girl.

Don't start your vehicle until snow is cleared

Snow and ice can cause blockages in tailpipes that can quickly cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

In 2017, four people in Montreal died from carbon monoxide poisoning while clearing their vehicles following a heavy snowfall. It's believed they took a break from shovelling and clearing their car, sat in their vehicles and lost consciousness due to gas build-up.

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