Carbon monoxide, or CO, is what folks call the “silent killer.” You can’t see it, you can’t smell it,
but it’s out there lurkin’, especially when we crank up our heaters in the winter. Every year, this
stuff takes hundreds of lives in the U.S., and thousands more end up in the ER, not even
knowin’ what hit ‘em. Carbon monoxide is a gas that comes from burnin’ stuff like wood, gas, or even coal. It’s fine when everything’s workin’ right, but if somethin’ goes wrong—like a busted heater or a
generator in the wrong spot—it can build up in your home.
At first, CO poisoning might feel like you’re comin’ down with the flu: headache, feelin’ woozy,
maybe a little sick to your stomach. But honey, if you ignore it, it can lead to confusion, passin’
out, or worse.
Truth is, we’re all at risk, but kids, older folks, and people with weak hearts or lungs are even
more vulnerable. It’s not uncommon for whole families to get hit at once, especially when
everyone’s inside tryin’ to stay warm.
It’s usually somethin’ simple, like a heater that hasn’t been checked in forever or folks usin’ a
portable generator indoors ‘cause the power went out. Even leavin’ your car runnin’ in a
closed-up garage can fill the air with carbon monoxide faster than you’d think.
The CDC says more than 400 Americans die from this stuff every year, and 100,000 more end
up in the hospital. Those are numbers we don’t wanna add to.
Good news is, keepin’ CO out of your home ain’t too hard if you follow some commonsense tips:
● Get CO detectors: Y’all, this one’s a no-brainer. Put ‘em near where you sleep and on
every floor of your house. Check the batteries regular-like, just like your smoke alarms.
● Keep your heater in check: Every fall, have someone who knows what they’re doin’ look
at your furnace and other gas appliances. It’s worth the peace of mind.
● Mind your generators: If you’ve gotta use one, keep it outside, way away from windows
and doors. Never, ever use one in your house or garage.
● Don’t leave your car runnin’ in the garage: Even if the door’s open, it ain’t safe. Pull it out
before you let it idle.
● Watch your vents: Fireplaces, wood stoves, and gas appliances need to breathe. Make
sure they’re all vented to the outdoors.
If somethin’ don’t feel right—like you or your family’s got a headache or feelin’ woozy—get
outside right away. Call 911 and don’t go back inside ‘til the pros say it’s safe. Better to be safe
than sorry, y’all.
This time of year, we’ve gotta look out for one another. When it gets cold, we all just wanna be
warm and cozy. But don’t let carbon monoxide sneak into your home. A little prevention goes a
long way, and it just might save a life—yours, your kids’, or your neighbors’
