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Three Sickened by Carbon Monoxide in Eatontown

Police say cracked furnace to blame for poisoning.

If you've been meaning to get a carbon monoxide detector, but just haven't fit it in between work and chauferring the kids, let this be a warning.

According to police, an Eatontown family of three narrowly escaped tragedy Sunday morning when they became sickened by carbon monoxide gas that filled their Lewis Street home.

Det. Lt. Lawrence Tyler said borough fire and first aid officials and MONOC Paramedics responded to a caller who noted a suspicious smell and complained of nauseousness. Responders arrived on the scene to find a mother and her two children, 10 and 14, vomiting on the front lawn.

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The three were taken to Monmouth Medical Center where they were not found to have any lasting injuries, Tyler said.

The fire department found that the levels of carbon monoxide in the residence were very high.  The fire department also found a crack in the furnace, which was apparently the cause of the smell in addition to the carbon monoxide leak.

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Representatives from the Office of Emergency Management, the gas company and the building department all responded to the scene. 

The house was deemed uninhabitable until the furnace is fixed. Tyler reported that the residents of the house were going to stay with relatives until that time.

What is carbon monoxide and where does it come from?

According to New Jersey Natural Gas, carbon monoxide, or CO, is a toxic gas produced when fuels such as gasoline, oil, propane, kerosene, coal, wood and natural gas don't have an adequate supply of oxygen to burn completely. When CO is breathed into the body, it combines with the body's blood and prevents it from absorbing oxygen. High levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

Symptoms are often mistaken for the flu - severe headaches, nausea, vomiting and sleepiness. One difference is that with CO poisoning there is usually no fever, and symptoms tend to clear up when you go outside and breathe fresh air. CO poisoning also affects pets.

What can I do to prevent CO in my home?

The first line of defense against CO poisoning is to have your heating, hot water and venting systems inspected annually by a qualified technician. Between inspections check your equipment for signs of problems, such as soot or water collecting near a burner or vent. Equipment that uses natural gas should show a clear blue flame. A yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem.

Installing a CO detector will give you added protection, but should not replace regular maintenance on appliances, heaters and venting systems.

Check your local hardware store for more information on purchasing and installing a CO detector.

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