BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Experts say carbon monoxide poisoning can catch anyone off guard without proper precaution.
Cases of carbon monoxide poisoning are especially common in the winter when folks are heating up carbon monoxide emitters like cars, fireplaces, and water heaters.
Too much exposure to the clear, odorless, tasteless gas triggers flu-like symptoms that can quickly become deadly.
Hundreds of Americans die annually, most recently a family of four in New Hampshire who died from a carbon monoxide leak on Christmas day.
“The saddest fact there is that they didn’t have carbon monoxide detectors, and they’re the easiest form of prevention,” said Bill Irwin of the Vermont Department of Health.
Though tragedies occur every year, Vermont’s carbon monoxide-related emergency department visits and deaths decreased over the last two decades.
Experts say it’s a sign that education and fire codes are moving the needle toward a safer state.
The overall message: carbon monoxide doesn’t have to be a silent killer.
You can protect yourself and your family by making sure your detectors and heating appliances are up to date, getting your chimney cleaned, operating your generator over 20 feet away from your home, and getting your car serviced for leaks.