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| Carbon
monoxide poisoning kills and injures thousands
each year. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and
odorless gas given off during the burning of fuel.
Persons who have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning
due to a faulty or defective product, such as
a furnace, portable generator or gas heater, are
welcome to contact a personal injury attorney
at Lieff Cabraser by clicking
here. Lawsuits against manufacturers not only
provide compensation for injured persons but also
lead manufacturers to make safer products. |
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Centers
for Disease Control: "Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning & Houseboats"
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| Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning - An Invisible Danger on Houseboats |
| Summertime:
houseboats, fresh air, and cool water. Invisible but dangerous
carbon monoxide couldn't possibly be a threat here--or could
it? |
| You
probably know that carbon monoxide poisoning is a danger
when gasoline-powered engines are run in enclosed spaces.
What many people don't know is that severe carbon monoxide
poisoning can also occur outdoors and has been linked with
houseboats. |
| The
Problem |
| Since
1994, there have been at least nine carbon monoxide-related
deaths on houseboats, and more than 100 non-fatal poisonings
in the U.S. Studies indicate that houseboats with on-board
electricity generators that vent toward the rear of the
boat can pose a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning to people
on the rear swim deck or water platform. Carbon monoxide
poisonings have also occurred inside houseboats. |
| Gasoline-powered
engines on houseboats, including the houseboat's onboard
generator, produce carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless
gas that can poison or kill someone who breathes in too
much of it. Carbon monoxide tends to build up above the
water near the water platform. The amount of carbon monoxide
that can build up in the air space beneath the stern deck
on houseboats can be deadly within seconds to minutes and
can also reach life-threatening concentrations on and near
the swim deck. |
| The
Effects |
| The
most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are headache,
dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
High levels of carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness
and death, or can cause someone to pass out and fall into
the water and drown. Unless suspected, carbon monoxide poisoning
can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms seem like
other illnesses. People who are sleeping or intoxicated
can die from carbon monoxide poisoning before ever experiencing
symptoms. |
| If
you think someone on your houseboat has carbon monoxide
poisoning, move him or her to fresh air quickly and contact
your nearest emergency services. |
| Prevention |
| How
can you prevent carbon monoxide poisoning on or around your
houseboat? |
- Install
and maintain a working carbon monoxide detector inside
the houseboat (remember, this won't alert people to
dangerous levels of carbon monoxide at locations outside
the houseboat cabin, such as the swim deck).
- Make
sure that all fuel-burning engines and appliances are
properly installed, maintained, and operated.
- Educate
all passengers about the signs, symptoms, and treatment
of carbon monoxide poisoning, especially if the houseboat
has a rear swim deck or water platform.
- Watch
children closely when they are playing on rear swim
decks or water platforms for signs of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
- Swim
and enjoy other activities away from areas where gasoline-powered
engines vent their exhaust.
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| Carbon
monoxide from exhaust pipes of inboard engines, outboard
engines, and generators builds up inside and outside any
boat in areas near the exhaust vents. Since 1994, 31 deaths
have been reported to the U.S. Coast Guard involving all
types of recreational boats. The Coast Guard reminds boaters
to be aware of the following: |
- Blocking
exhaust outlets can cause carbon monoxide to build up
in the cabin and cockpit areas - even when hatches,
windows, portholes, and doors are closed.
- Exhaust
from another vessel that is docked, beached, or anchored
beside your boat can send carbon monoxide into the cabin
and cockpit of your boat. Your boat should always be
at least 20 feet from the nearest boat that is running
a generator or engine.
- Slow
speeds or idling in the water can cause carbon monoxide
to build up in the cabin, cockpit, bridge, and aft deck,
even in an open area. Wind entering from the aft section
of the boat can also increase this build up of carbon
monoxide.
- The
"station wagon effect," or back drafting can
cause carbon monoxide to build up inside the cabin,
cockpit, and bridge when operating the boat at a high
bow angle, with improper or heavy loading, or if there
is an opening that draws in exhaust.
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Lieff
Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP
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Copyright
© 2007 Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein,
LLP
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"Carbon Monoxide
Kills One in Virginia Dorm"
July 14, 2006, Associated Press
Carbon
monoxide leaked into a college dormitory early Friday, killing a man and sickening
dozens of teens and adults attending summer programs at Roanoke College, the
school said. A college spokeswoman
said more than 80 people had been taken to two Roanoke Valley
hospitals complaining of headaches, nausea, dizziness and shakiness. She said
an elderly man had died. More... |
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| Lieff
Cabraser has participated in over thirty-five $100
million-plus settlements and verdicts. To read
a summary, click
here. |
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| Read
the latest press articles
on the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and
related personal injury lawsuits. |
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