Safety precautions to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Experts say carbon monoxide poisoning can catch anyone off guard without the proper precautions.
South Burlington Fire Department Deputy Chief Terry Francis says he was on a routine building inspection when his carbon monoxide monitor beeped.
“As soon as I walked in, the thing went off into alarm,” Francis said. There was 5,000 parts per million of carbon monoxide in the air - a lethal leak -- but he says the crew never suspected a thing. “They said that everyone was feeling bad and they figured it was just the flu.”
Carbon monoxide poisoning is caused by too much exposure to the clear, odorless, tasteless gas. It presents as flu-like symptoms and is especially common in the winter, when people use fireplaces and snow can heater exhaust ducts.
Over 400 Americans die annually from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires. In the last 10 years, Vermont has seen 16 carbon monoxide-related deaths. Most recently in our region, a family of four died on Christmas day from a carbon monoxide leak in New Hampshire.
“The saddest fact there is -- that they didn’t have carbon monoxide detectors. And they’re the easiest form of prevention,” said Bill Irwin with the Vermont Department of Health. He says detectors could prevent some 50% of carbon monoxide deaths. “It’s fairly inexpensive, really fairly easy to install, they could be plugged into an outlet.”
There’s a variety of carbon monoxide detectors available at different price points. Pricier versions tell you to evacuate, while others emit four beeps when they detect the gas and one beep when the battery is low. If you’re unsure of your detector’s status, call your local fire department. “We’re always happy to mitigate whatever your issue is,” Francis said. He says the bottom line message is that carbon monoxide doesn’t have to be a silent killer.
Copyright 2025 WCAX. All rights reserved.