Winter is almost here, which means that people will be looking for all sorts of affordable ways to heat their homes. The use of electric heaters, gas fireplaces, and wood stoves rise as the temperatures drop. Under normal operating conditions, these are safe to use, but if something malfunctions, it can put your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.



Carbon monoxide is a gas can that be released from: space heaters, gas stoves, car exhaust, chimneys, kerosene heaters, generators, tobacco, and many others. As you can see, the list is made up of things we come into contact with regularly during the winter, which makes the next few months the most dangerous of the year.

What makes these household objects suddenly turn into potential hazards? Often it's due to a lack of maintenance. Chimneys for instance, should be checked annually by a professional for any leaks or obstructions. The same goes for your central heating system. By staying on top of any repair work that needs to be done, you're making sure that your family stays safe.

Aside from proper maintenance and making necessary repairs, lack of ventilation is another way that carbon monoxide can enter your home. Make sure that all gas and kerosene heaters have vents, and never leave your chimney flue closed when burning a fire. If you need to warm your vehicle up before driving, take it out of the garage before doing so. Taking these simple precautions could save your life.

Another area where homeowners put themselves at risk is during a power outage. Electric heating sources are no longer available, leaving your family in the cold. If you have a propane fueled heater or camping stove, do not bring them inside the house. While it may be inconvenient and uncomfortable doing your cooking in sub-zero temperatures, it's more important that you keep carbon monoxide levels low inside the house.

If carbon monoxide does reach toxic levels in your home, you will feel symptoms that are similar to having the flu, such as dizziness, headache, and nausea. Chest pains can also be present, as well as hallucinations and shortness of breath. The amount of time it takes to breathe in lethal amounts of CO depends on many factors, including the person's weight, height, age, and overall health. The concentrations of the gas present, and amount of ventilation, also contribute to its toxicity factor.

Carbon monoxide reduces your body's ability to bring oxygen to your cells, which can lead to organ malfunction, brain damage, and death. Too many people die needlessly each year because they haven't taken the steps to protect themselves.

Remember to regularly get your heating appliances checked and repaired, and be sure to have a quality carbon monoxide detector installed. It's a good idea to have one on each floor of the house, and to maintain them as you would a smoke detector. Always have fresh batteries on hand. If your alarm does sound, immediately get out of the house. CO deprives your body of oxygen, so you need to get as much fresh air as possible.

Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of fatal poisoning in the United States. Your home is your sanctuary from the world, so protect it.