Family Sickened by Carbon Monoxide

AVALON – Four members of a family were sickened early June 9 when a carbon monoxide leak developed inside a garage underneath of an apartment on a bayfront property. All four family members recovered from the temporary medical sickness caused by a pool heater in a garage that leaked carbon monoxide which travelled to the upstairs apartment while they slept.
“We are very fortunate that this incident did not involve tragic circumstances,” stated Avalon Volunteer Fire Department Chief Edward Dean in a release. “This situation could have been easily avoided with the simple installation of a functional carbon monoxide detector inside the apartment unit.”
On June 9 at approximately 5:20 a.m. a 9-1-1 call was made notifying authorities about the family experiencing sickness including nausea, vomiting, and dizziness.
Avalon Police Department, Avalon Volunteer Fire Department, and Avalon Rescue Squad all immediately responded to the scene. The Avalon Rescue Squad took all four to Cape Regional Medical Center for treatment of symptoms.
It was determined that the carbon monoxide leak came directly from a pool heater unit in the garage. Pool heater units can produce 20 times the amount of combustible products than a typical household water heater. Avalon Volunteer Fire Department disabled the heater and ventilated the property.
“Carbon monoxide detectors are very affordable, reliable, and should be located in every full time and temporary housing unit,” Chief Dean stated. “In some cases people are not awakened by their symptoms while they are exposed to carbon monoxide and the results are often tragic. This should serve as a reminder for all property owners and landlords to make sure their units have working fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors”.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas that is impossible to see, smell, or taste. Carbon monoxide can be deadly before you are even aware that it exists in your home. For more information on where to place carbon monoxide detectors in your home, contact your local fire bureau.