Reposted from EMR-ISAC

As colder weather approaches, homeowners will turn on their furnaces and gas fireplaces for the first time in several months. Some may also use portable generators to heat their homes during power outages caused by heavy snow, ice storms, or other extreme winter weather. Fuel-burning home heating equipment – like gas furnaces, boilers, stoves, portable generators, and portable heaters - can generate significant amounts of carbon monoxide. For example, a single portable generator can produce as much carbon monoxide as hundreds of cars. November is Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the “invisible killer” because it's a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. If not maintained and operated safely, home heating equipment can expose people to toxic or lethal amounts of CO. Without a CO detector, CO can accumulate in the atmosphere undetected until it’s too late. A February 2024 report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that accidental non-fire related CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer heating products have been trending upward for the 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. Over 200 people die of non-fire CO poisoning every year. Nearly half of these deaths are associated with portable generators, and more than half of non-fire CO deaths each year occur in the colder months between November and February. Public safety and health professionals can help prevent CO poisoning by keeping their communities informed about the dangers of CO, how to safely operate their heating equipment, and how use and maintain their CO detectors. One of the most critical safety measures is to ensure that CO detectors are installed on each level of the home, especially near sleeping areas. CO detectors must be checked regularly to be sure they are functioning properly. Additionally, CO detectors and home heating equipment are subject to safety recalls. Just this month, CPSC announced two recalls related to CO poisoning risk:

• New Cosmos USA Recalls Combination Natural Gas and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Due to Failure to Alert Consumers to the Presence of Natural Gas and to the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Lochinvar Recalls Condensing Boilers Due to Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Check to see if your CO detector or home heating equipment has been recalled at www.cpsc.gov/recalls and stay up to date on the latest recalls by subscribing to updates from the CPSC. Read more safety tips at the CPSC’s Carbon Monoxide Safety Center. Visit the NCOAA’s website for instructional materials and information about initiatives that are working to prevent CO poisoning through codes and standards, regulations, products, and public awareness. See the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA’s) messages and free materials to educate your community on CO poisoning prevention.

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