CenterPoint Energy offers tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

MINNEAPOLIS – January 15, 2008 –CenterPoint Energy would like to remind the public of important safety tips to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) exposure. Emergency response to incidents involving CO poisoning have increased with the onset of winter due to customers using their heating equipment more frequently and starting their cars in the garage. Fuel-burning appliances, equipment and combustible engines all produce CO that can reach dangerous levels if improperly operated or maintained. CO is a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and non-irritating. When inhaled, CO combines with the blood preventing proper absorption of oxygen which can cause illness and even death. There are several ways to tell if CO is present: Physical symptoms of CO exposure can resemble the flu causing headaches, nausea, fatigue, confusion and dizziness that disappear when a person breathes fresh air.Mild: Slight headache Vomiting Nausea Fatigue Blurred vision Medium: Drowsiness Confusion Sever headache Rapid heart rate Severe: Convulsions Unconsciousness Cardiac/respiratory arrest Even death Unusually high indoor humidity with persistent heavy condensation on walls and windows and soot or water collecting near a burner or vent Stuffy or stale indoor air To prevent CO buildup: Have fuel-burning equipment regularly checked by a qualified technician (most manufacturers recommend annual check-ups). Never operate an automobile, lawn mower or any combustion engine, or barbecue grill or similar equipment, in an enclosed area such as your home, garage, tent, fish house, trailer or place of business, even with the door open. Any pollutants in the air from the garage, such as a car engine running, can travel into the structure and CO can accumulate. Never leave a fire smoldering in a fireplace. Check frequently for visible signs of problems, such as high indoor humidity, or soot or water collecting near a burner or vent. Equipment that uses natural gas should produce a clear blue flame. A yellow or orange flame may indicate a problem and equipment should be checked by a qualified technician. When natural gas equipment is properly operated and maintained, it usually will not produce CO. Provide adequate combustion air for all your appliances. Be certain all fuel-burning appliances and equipment are properly vented to the outdoors. Keep vents, fresh air intake(s), and chimneys clear of debris or other obstructions and check for vent pipes that have gaps, leaks, spaces, or are rusted through. Purchase a CO detection device with an audible alarm and digital display and install it no more than 10 feet from each bedroom as required by law. Never attempt to heat a room with a natural gas range, oven or clothes dryer If you suspect CO exposure, leave the area immediately taking your pets with you and tell others to do the same. Treatment for CO exposure is fresh air or oxygen. Severe exposure requires medical attention. Never enter an unventilated structure believed to be rich in CO without proper personal protective equipment. Do not return to your home or building until the source of the problem is discovered and corrected. Once safely away from the area, call 911 to report the suspected CO incident. Visit us on the Web for more information about natural gas safety @ centerpointenergy.com/besafe or call 612-372-4727 or 1-800-245-2377. CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Assets total over $19 billion. With about 8,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state’s largest natural gas distribution utility, serving nearly 790,000 customers in 260 communities. The utility also operates a non-regulated business in Minnesota called Home Service Plus®. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

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