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With homes being sealed up against the coming winter chill, it's a good time to make sure the snug indoor environment is a safe one.
For Carbon Monoxide Safety Awareness Month, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and Michigan State Police are reminding residents of the dangers of CO and urge them to take preventive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones.
"Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that you cannot see, taste or smell - but it can be deadly when you breathe it in," Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, said in a news release. "Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, confusion and shortness of breath. I urge families to have working carbon monoxide detectors in their homes to help prevent tragedies."
Each year, CO poisonings lead to emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths. In 2024, Michigan had 608 cases of illness due to unintentional CO poisoning, including 42 deaths, according to the 2024 Michigan Carbon Monoxide Surveillance Report.
CO poisoning affects all ages but can be a greater risk for younger and older individuals. In developing babies, fetal blood cells absorb CO more easily than adult blood cells. Children's smaller bodies breathe more rapidly, meaning children can potentially take in more CO. Older adults are at a higher risk of illness due to CO exposure and may be more likely to develop brain damage.
For everyone, symptoms of CO poisoning worsen the longer the person is exposed.
"Carbon monoxide exposure is preventable, but you have to take action before there is an emergency," State Fire Marshal Tom Hughes said in the release. "Have working carbon monoxide alarms, maintain fuel-burning appliances and use generators and other equipment safely. If an alarm sounds or you think carbon monoxide may be present, get outside into fresh air and call 911. Don't try to find the source or wait to see if the alarm stops."
Some CO facts --
-- CO is a poisonous, sometimes deadly gas that cannot be seen, tasted or smelled.
-- CO is found where carbon-based fuels -- including natural gas, kerosene, gasoline, propane, charcoal, oil and wood -- are burned.
-- All fuel-burning items, including vehicles and portable generators, release CO.
-- CO can build up in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Opening windows or doors does NOT stop CO buildup. If a CO detector goes off or someone has CO poisoning symptoms, remember to get out into fresh air and call 911 for assistance.
CO poisoning prevention tips --
-- Install 10-year lithium battery detectors on every level of the home and near all sleeping areas. Smoke detectors do not alert to CO exposure.
-- Inspect fuel-burning vehicles yearly and repair any exhaust system leaks immediately.
-- Never run a vehicle inside a garage or in any enclosed or partially enclosed space, even with doors open.
-- Have heating systems, water heaters and all fuel-burning appliances professionally inspected annually to ensure proper operation and ventilation.
-- Never use outdoor fuel-burning equipment -- such as grills, generators, gas-powered saws or heaters -- inside a home, including the basement, or in a tent, garage or camper. Do not heat living spaces with a gas oven.
-- Operate portable generators at least 20 feet away from enclosed structures. Use extra-long, grounded extension cords as needed.
For more information, go online to Michigan.gov/carbonmonoxide.