During the most recent five-year period available, an average of 32 Ohioans have died each year from carbon monoxide poisoning. The Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal is offering tips to reduce the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas which replaces oxygen in the bloodstream. Mild CO poisoning feels like the flu, but more serious poisoning can lead to breathing difficulty or even death. Just how sick people get from CO exposure varies greatly from person to person, depending on one's age, overall health, the concentration of the exposure, and length of exposure.
High concentrations are dangerous even for a short time.
If you need to warm up a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting the ignition, Fire Marshal McNamee said. Do not run a vehicle, even if the garage doors are open. CO from a running vehicle inside an attached garage can get inside the house, even with the garage door open. Normal circulation inside the house does not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent dangerous accumulations. The best time to check this equipment would be prior to the heating season, but it can be done at any time.