Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips For Your Home and Car

Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room and more than 4,000 Americans are hospitalized due to CO poisoning.

According to the CDC, more deaths occur in the winter months than at any other time. That’s because generators and space heaters are more heavily used in the colder months. Even warming up your car with the garage doors open for just a few minutes can make you sick.

The following are some recommendations that the insurance industry puts out each year to help keep you safe in your home. Make sure to have your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or coal burning appliance serviced by a qualified technician every year. Never use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors. Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly and have your chimney cleaned each year. And never use a generator inside your home, basement or garage.

Hundreds of persons die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by running a vehicle inside a closed garage, while stranded in their car or while driving or riding in a vehicle with a defective exhaust system. Make sure to have a mechanic check the exhaust system of your car or truck every year. Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house, even with the garage door opened. If your car is keyless and you park in an attached garage, don’t forget to turn off the car. Each year, people are found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in their home and the cause was a car left running in the garage. Make sure to remove any snow that could block the tail pipe and if sitting in an idling car, always keep the window partially opened.

And finally, invest in a battery operated or battery back-up CO detector in your home. It’s a good idea to replace the batteries each time your change the time on your clocks in the spring and fall.

Written by Kevin Connors. Kevin Connors is a Certified Insurance Counselor and licensed Property/Casualty and Life Insurance Agent with The Connors Insurance Agency in Mechanicville, NY. Mr. Connors can be reached at (518)664-7307 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.