Carbon Monoxide and Winter

Winter, with the increase in the use of furnaces, stoves and other gas/fuel burning appliances, coincide with increases in carbon monoxide poisoning.

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From: "Carbon Monoxide: A Winter Killer: CDC Says Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Peaks in December and January" By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Dec. 20, 2007

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"It has no color. It has no odor. It has no taste. It kills. The mystery poison: carbon monoxide or CO. It's a gas given off by gas furnaces, cars, charcoal grills, propane stoves, and portable generators. Every year, the CDC says, it sends at least 15,000 Americans to the emergency room. At least 439 people die of unintentional, non fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning every year, new CDC statistics show. But that's very likely an under count.

If your furnace is old, or the gas has been replaced/worked on during the year or if you have increased chances of carbon monoxide because of a stove or other type of fuel burning 'appliance' it is a good idea to get your home tested before the winter season.

Every home should have a fire alarm, and every home should have a carbon monoxide detector.

You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector from home improvement stores, warehouse-type stores or online (for as little as $12). Here are some other tips from the center for disease control through WebMD:

"To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, the CDC recommends: * Every year, have a qualified technician check your heating systems, water heaters, and other gas-, oil-, or coal-burning appliances. * Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and change the batteries when you change the clocks for daylight-saving time. * Seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning is the cause of your dizziness or nausea. * Never use generators, camp stoves, charcoal grills, or any other gas- or oil-burning device inside the home. Never use these devices outside the home near a window. * Never run a motor vehicle inside the garage, even if the garage door is open. * Never burn anything in a fireplace or stove that is not vented to the outside. * Never heat your house with a gas oven."