Harris County has seen more than 300 carbon monoxide poisoning cases since temperatures were lower in Houston on Monday and the state’s electricity network failed, causing people to scramble to heat sources. These include 90 carbon monoxide poisonings to the Houston Fire Department and 100 cases in the Memorial Hermann Memorial Rooms.
Hermann spokesman Drew Munhausen said many of the cases come from people who use BBQ wells and generators indoors indoors to stay warm. Doctors treat 60 of the cases at the hospital in Texas Medical Center.
“With the number of patients coming in, it’s becoming a mini-mass accident event,” said Dr. Samuel Prater, an emergency physician from UTH Health who works with Memorial Hermann, said. More than half of the patients were children, Prater said.
More than 1 million people lost power in the Houston area as demand for electricity rose during the coldest night in 32 years.
Other hospitals also treat people who have become ill due to unsafe heating practices. Ben Taub Hospital has treated four cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, while Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital has treated ten cases since Monday afternoon. Baylor-St. According to the hospital, Luke’s medical center has seen five cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in the last day.
Several people have already died in search of warmth. A woman and an 8-year-old girl have died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Sharpstown, while a man and a 7-year-old boy were taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Three children and their grandmother died in a Sugar Land home after using the fireplace to heat their home.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, experts said people should not drive their cars to stay warm in garages, with generators inside or on ovens to heat homes. If you use a fireplace, keep an eye on the flames, make sure the chimney smoke is open and stays awake while the fire is burning.
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Confusion
- Vision changes
- In the ears ringing
- Loss of consciousness
The Harris County Fire Chief’s office is trying to broadcast advice on preventing hypothermia, but many people who need the tips are without power and internet, making it difficult to get the message out, spokeswoman Rachel Neutzler said. , said.
“They have been sitting without heat for more than 30 hours now trying to protect their families by doing the best way they know,” Neutzler said. “Unfortunately, all of these carbon monoxide poisonings can be prevented.”
First, on Tuesday afternoon, at least ten people from one household in Klein were taken to hospitals for treatment.
The fire chief’s office expects the numbers to increase as more local EMS services report cases and freezing rain and more dangerous cold temperatures from another winter storm this week sweep through Texas. Many people themselves recognize the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and drive to hospitals to seek treatment.
Chimneys, candles and overworked heaters are also driving an increase in house fires, according to health officials.
twitter.com/gwendolynawu