Illinois State Fire Marshal warns carbon monoxide awareness key to staying safe this winter

The cold winter winds for Illinoisans mean turning up the thermostat in order to stay warm. The State Fire Marshal encourages residents to have their furnaces checked, change furnace filters and to make sure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are functioning properly.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires in the United States.

Local fire departments responded to an average of 52,050 fires involving heating equipment every year from 2012-16. These instances accounted for about 15% of all reported home fires during that time.

Annually, these fires lead to the loss of 490 civilians’ lives, 1,400 civilian injuries and about $1 billion in direct property damage. Half of the home heating fires are reported during December, January and February.

“Unlike smoke, carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas only detectable by special devices and CO alarms,” Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez said. “This means it’s imperative that you have working CO alarms in your home to help keep you and your family safe.”

Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to winter heating safety:

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional; change furnace filters frequently.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Keep interior and exterior air vents clear of blockages or obstructions.
• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment like a furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cooled before being placed into a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Create a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Test smoke and CO alarms at least once a month, and be familiar with the sounds they make.
• Never use an oven or range to heat your home.
• Remember to turn off portable or space heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on each floor of your home and within 15 feet of each sleeping area.
• CO detectors have a limited life span, so check manufacturer’s instructions for information on replacement.

According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, in 2019, Illinois Fire Departments responded to more than 23,000 calls about carbon monoxide and were able to determine a CO leak at about 11,000 of those calls.

Symptoms of CO poisoning are very similar to the flu and include headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea and dizziness. Other possible signs of CO presence include condensation on walls and windows, house pets becoming sluggish and chronic odors from malfunctioning appliances.

If you suspect that you may be experiencing these symptoms, smell natural gas leaking in your home or if your CO alarm activates, evacuate the building immediately if possible. Only open windows on your way out if they are easily accessible.