The Lebanon Rescue Department responded to a call from an apartment complex off Carl Broggi Highway indicating the activation of a carbon monoxide detector shortly after 3:30 p.m. today.

Officials say five tenants were outside the three-unit apartment building when they arrived, and two occupants were found inside sleeping. Of the seven, two complained of headaches and one reported having the flu for several days, according to a department press release. The tenants refused transportation to the hospital, officials said.

Fire crews searched the building for carbon monoxide readings, locating a concentrated reading near a heater that had just been started for the first time this season in the living room of the unit with the activated carbon monoxide detector.

“Fortunately the tenants had a carbon monoxide detector and when it activated, they did the proper things of evacuating the house, going to fresh air and calling for emergency services to come investigate the situation,” Lebanon Assistant Rescue Chief Jason Cole said.

Officials would like to remind people as the heating season approaches that it is important to have working carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is produced by burning fuel and can become toxic at levels higher than 50 parts per million with continuous exposure for more than an eight-hour period.

Mild exposure to carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms such as headache, sore eyes and runny nose. With greater exposure, symptoms include dizziness, drowsiness and vomiting. Extended exposure can result in unconsciousness, brain damage and death.

For morel information about carbon monoxide safety, visit www.lebanonrescue.com.
 

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