Two days. That is what it took for a carbon monoxide (CO) leak to go from unknown to almost deadly for the Ludwig family.
Two days.
That is what it took for a carbon monoxide (CO) leak to go from unknown to almost deadly for the Ludwig family.
“Over the last few days, we were feeling ill with headaches and nausea - the cats started throwing up first and the dogs started throwing up second, ” explained JJ Ludwig, Cochrane business owner.
“If we wouldn't have had the CO detector we would've never noticed - we didn't put two and two together. ”
Originally a “questionable ” Christmas gift three years ago, Ludwig said it was only six months ago when the she finally took the CO detector out of the package and placed it on a shelf. Ludwig added, she realizes now the detector should have been placed lower.
“You don't think of CO in the older houses - I would tell people to check their detectors and make sure they are properly installed, ” Ludwig said.
It was only a day after the animals got sick, last Tuesday, when Ludwig said her daughter, Mikita, husband and herself came home, fell asleep and almost never woke up again.
“I had a seizure the day before and wasn't feeling well (and) Mikita came home and passed out right away - I thought she was tired, ” JJ said.
“I was woken up by an alarm going off. It was like coming out of a fog, I was disoriented and had a foggy headache, Mikita wasn't responsive and it was a big fight to get her out of bed.
“It was hard to think - I was stressed because Mikita wouldn't get up and I felt like I couldn't get her up but I knew the alarm was going off. I couldn't comprehend what I was supposed to do. ”
Carbon monoxide is a gas that has no smell, taste, nor colour and can cause illness leading to death. The gas is made when oil, coal, wood, gasoline, propane or natural gases are burned and become a risk when used in unventilated areas.
“Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide are invaluable, ” explained Dave Humphrey, Cochrane fire chief.
“We stress to everyone to have the (detectors) in working order and to be checked on a regular basis … and if it has or omits any sounds to call the fire department. ”
After shutting off the propane tank and airing out the house, JJ said the family is back in the home.
“It's very scary to think what could have happened, ” JJ reflected.
“I took (the detector) for granted and it is humbling to think about - I really hope people don't take it for granted … it's really important. ”
FACTBOX
Some of the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:
Headache.
Nausea.
Dizziness.
Shortness of breath.
Loss of muscle control.
Loss of consciousness.
Chest Pain.
Fatigue.
Correction: This story originally stated CO is denser than air, it is in fact less dense.
