MDHHS Reminds Residents to be Aware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

With the arrival of colder weather and the increased reliance on heaters and fireplaces, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) urges Michigan residents to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning by installing CO detectors and making sure fuel-burning appliances are properly working. Most CO poisonings take place in homes where heat producing appliances are not properly installed, maintained, or vented, including furnaces, water heaters, generators, gas grills, dryers, lanterns, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, and gas stoves. CO is a gas produces whenever a fossil fuel is burned, and includes charcoal, wood, propane, kerosene, gasoline, and natural gas if burned improperly.

CO is known as the "silent killer" as it is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless poisonous gas. MDHHS urges residents to ensure CO detectors have working batteries by testing them and keeping the detector clean and free of dust and cobwebs. Batteries should be changed at least once a year, unless you have one which uses a long-life lithium battery. Follow manufacturer's directions regarding batteries. Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors save lives," said State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. "It is imperative that you have a functioning CO detector on every level of your home, and near every sleeping area."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year approximately 100,000 people across the country visit the emergency department for accidental CO poisoning. In 2020, the latest year that data are available from the MDHHS Michigan Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (MiTracking), there were 672 Michigan emergency department visits for CO poisoning.

"Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include headache, dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, confusion and nausea," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive. "If you think you have been exposed, it is important to get into an area with fresh air immediately and seek medical attention."

MDHHS offers several tips to prevent CO poisoning. First install CO detectors in your home and make sure they are properly functioning. Replace your CO detectors every five years or according to the manufacturer's directions.

Have your furnace, wood burning stove, or chimney inspected every year. Hire a professional to ensure proper functioning and that all heat producing utilities are properly vented to the outdoors.

Never run your care in a closed garage. CO can build up quickly and seep into your home in an attached garage. If you are warming your car up in the garage, always have the garage door open. Likewise, never run a gasoline or propane heater or a charcoal, gas, or wood grill inside any enclosed space like a garage or inside your home. Generators should be run at a safe distance of at least 20 feet from your home to prevent fumes from entering.

To find out more about CO poisoning visit Michigan.gov/MiTracking