From January to March of this year, there have been more than 10 cases of carbon monoxide poisoning in Taichung city. After analysis, most of the cases are due to incorrect installation of heaters or misuse, such as installation within the house or inside the extended balcony, no installation of exhaust pipes for conventional flue heaters and incorrect exhaust pipes installed, in addition to poor ventilation, which produced or increased carbon monoxide. It is further emphasized by the Fire Department that, if there are numerous people who have a similar cold or food poisoning symptoms, such as tiredness, dizziness, noxiousness, vomiting, chest pain and powerlessness, you should suspect carbon monoxide poisoning and turn off heaters in the house and open the doors and windows. When you do not feel very well, please go outside or somewhere with better ventilation and then dial 119 for help.
As a reminder from the Fire Department, when people install gas heaters, they need to follow the five principles, such as making sure the environment has good ventilation, using qualified indication, choosing the right type, being careful during installation and cautious with regular maintenance. People could also ask qualified contractors to move incorrectly installed heaters to outside of the house or change to Forced Exhaust heaters in order to reduce the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. If people have questions about their water heater safety, they can dial 119 directly and the Fire Departments will provide “Anti-carbon Feng Shui Master” service and send firefighters to their houses to make sure the water heaters are safe. Taichung City Government also provides a subsidy of NTD 3,000 for relocation of places with highly potential for carbon monoxide poisoning or change of water heaters. Once the applicants meet the qualification after on-site check, the Fire Departments will assist people with subsidy application accordingly.