Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) are urging residents to take precautions against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. They recommend checking CO detectors and fuel-burning appliances regularly.

Carbon monoxide, often referred to as the "Invisible Killer," is a gas that cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled but can be deadly when inhaled. It is produced when carbon-based fuels such as gasoline, propane, charcoal, and wood are burned. The gas can accumulate quickly in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.

State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer stated, "Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen to anyone if there are no safety measures in place." He emphasized the importance of having a carbon monoxide detector as it is the only way to detect its presence. Sehlmeyer advised that most CO poisonings occur at home due to improperly installed or maintained items like furnaces, water heaters, generators, grills, dryers, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys, and gas stoves. He recommended annual professional checks for these appliances to reduce the risk of CO poisoning.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at MDHHS noted that "carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms are similar to the flu," including fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion. She warned that these symptoms should not be ignored as they could lead to coma or death.

In case of suspected CO poisoning or if a CO detector alarm sounds off residents should immediately go outside and call 911. The fire department should confirm it is safe before returning indoors.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 100000 people visit emergency departments annually across the country due to accidental CO poisoning. In Michigan alone there were 727 emergency department visits for CO poisoning in 2022 according to MiTracking Data Portal.

Certain groups are particularly vulnerable to CO exposure including developing babies children older adults people with heart disease and those with chronic exposure which can result in more severe health effects even at lower levels.

To prevent CO poisoning residents are advised to install detectors on every level of their homes test them monthly replace them every five years run generators at least 20 feet from homes maintain fuel-burning devices correctly vent gas appliances properly use detectors when camping avoid running cars in enclosed spaces use fuel-burning devices outdoors only among other safety tips provided by MDHHS LARA CDC Consumer Product Safety Commission National CO Awareness Association among others offer additional information on preventing this silent threat Visit Michigan.gov/MiTracking for more details about CO poisoning prevention resources available statewide nationally