Studies show the average daily death rate from carbon monoxide poisoning in January is three times the levels recorded in July and August. Obviously, that makes sense: Winter months are more hazardous in this respect, because gas-fired heating systems, fireplaces, and generators are in use, and people are likely to take risks to have power and heat during outages. So, as the new year approaches, this can be a good time to evaluate how well-prepared you are to meet and defeat the silent killer that is carbon monoxide.