You Are Here : Home / LLCHD Urges Carbon Monoxide Safety During Cold Weather

LLCHD Urges Carbon Monoxide Safety During Cold Weather

Published on January 11, 2024

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today urged residents to take precautions to protect themselves from carbon monoxide poisoning that can occur during the winter months.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless and colorless gas and is referred to as the “invisible killer” because it can make people unconscious or too weak to escape before they experience other symptoms of CO poisoning like nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, lethargy, difficulty breathing, and seizures.

About 420 Americans die every year from accidental CO poisoning, and an additional 100,000 people in the U.S. visit hospital emergency departments each year due to accidental CO poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In winter storm events, CO poisoning is most commonly the result of individuals trying to provide heat and electricity during electrical power outages. To be prepared for such events, follow these important life-saving tips:

Check CO and smoke alarms. Make sure battery-powered or battery back-up CO and smoke detectors are installed on every level and inside each bedroom of your home. Check all CO and smoke detectors to ensure they’re working properly and replace batteries as needed. CO detectors over seven years old should be replaced. Never ignore an alarm when it sounds – go outside immediately and call 911.
Never operate a portable generator inside any indoor space, including garages or sheds. Portable generators should be operated at least 20 feet away from homes, and generator exhaust should be directed away from the home and any other occupied structures nearby. Do not operate generators within outside porches or carports.
Do not use a gas oven or range, charcoal briquets, camp stove, or other gasoline or charcoal-burning device to heat your home. Do not burn anything in a stove or fireplace that isn’t properly vented to the outdoors.
Do not warm up vehicles inside garages. Move vehicles out of the garage and close the garage door prior to starting. Make sure vehicle exhaust is free from obstruction.

If you suspect that you are experiencing CO poisoning symptoms, get fresh air immediately. Leave the home and call 911. Because CO can remain in your bloodstream for up to 24 hours, do not return indoors because you start feeling better.

Find CO fact sheets in several languages at https://www.cdc.gov/co/factsheets.htm. For more information about winter storm safety, visit https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/duringstorm/indoorsafety.html.

More information is available from the LLCHD Air Quality Program at 402-441-8040.