MDHHS and LARA Remind Michiganders to Check Their Carbon Monoxide Detectors As Cold Weather Hits

  • The Grand Rapids Times
  • November 5th, 2021
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Lansing, MI – As the temperatures continue to drop and Michigan prepares to turn back the clocks on Nov. 7 for Daylight Saving Time, Michiganders are urged to take action to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a gas that forms whenever a fossil fuel is burned. You cannot see, taste or smell CO, but it can be deadly when you breathe it in. CO is dangerous because it blocks your body from taking in the oxygen it needs. CO can cause serious illness or death in just minutes.

"Taking small steps like making sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector can make a huge difference if you're unknowingly exposed," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services chief medical executive. "Symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure include flu-like symptoms – aches, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. If you think you have been exposed it is important to get into an area with fresh air immediately and seek medical attention."

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each year, approximately 50,000 people across the country visit the emergency department for accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. In 2019, the latest year data were available from the MDHHS Michigan Environmental Public Health Tracking Program (MiTracking), there were 1,090 Michigan emergency department visits for carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Carbon monoxide is produced by many items people use daily," said State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. "Furnaces, water heaters, dryers, lanterns, space heaters, fireplaces, chimneys and gas stoves all produce this colorless, odorless, tasteless and poisonous gas known as the 'Invisible Killer' which requires an electronic sensor to detect. Michigan residents should install an inexpensive CO detector on each level of your home and test them every month with your smoke alarm."

Hospitalizations for carbon monoxide poisoning are preventable when people are prepared.

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