As we leave Summer and enter Fall we kick on our heaters and bundle up for the coming cold. Heaters pose much more of a threat than most people realize. As they warm up our homes they create carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas. Without proper ventilation it can pose serious health risks and sometimes even death. As long as our homes have proper air flow there is little to no risk.

To help ensure good air flow, check that the vents in your home are open and clear of dust, hair, or any other debris that may be blocking it. It’s also important to change the filter inside your heater every few months.

During power outages people often stuff blankets, sheets, or towels in gaps along doors or windows. It’s actually very important not to do this as it can lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide which you may not even know is happening. Carbon monoxide has no odor or color, people often don’t even know it’s filling their homes until it is too late. It’s important to make sure you have proper carbon monoxide detectors for this reason.

While carbon monoxide does rise in warm air it is actually only slightly lighter than air so it’s safest to put carbon monoxide detectors at about eye level.

Make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of your home as well, especially near places where carbon monoxide is likely to be produced like a stove, heater, and in the garage. You also should always check the batteries in your carbon monoxide every six months.

If your carbon monoxide detector does go off, believe it. Go outside, into fresh air, and call 911. Even if it is a false alarm it is better to be safe than sorry. If you do decide to ignore the carbon monoxide detector you may not even notice symptoms until it’s too late. Two common symptoms are dizziness and exhaustion which may prompt someone to go lie down and sleep. While asleep we lose a lot of sense of our bodies and may not even notice any more symptoms, like brain damage or even death. Death and brain damage are more likely in the elderly and unborn babies.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is no joke and approximately 420 people die every year from it. Protect yourself and your family from it by being aware of it.

To learn more go to https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/copoisoning/ index.html (CDC Carbon Monoxide Poisoning).