THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR TO BE ON GUARD AGAINST CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THE NEW MEXICO POISON AND DRUG INFORMATION CENTER AT THE U-N-M COLLEGE OF PHARMACY SAYS THERE WERE 246 CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURES REPORTED LAST YEAR WITH 72 OF THOSE COMING IN DECEMBER.
CARBON MONOXIDE IS A COLORLESS AND TASTELESS GAS THAT IS EMITTED BY ALL FUEL-BURNING APPLIANCES. THE CENTER RECOMMENDS HOMES HAVE A PROPERLY INSTALLED CARBON-MONOXIDE DETECTOR ON EACH FLOOR. IT ALSO CAUTIONS AGAINST USING THINGS SUCH AS THE OVEN OR CLOTHES DRYER AS A WAY TO WARM UP A HOME.
