Carbon monoxide detectors are an essential tool to keep you and your family safe from a gas that you can't see, smell or taste but can be deadly. They are about $24 at hardware stores in the Anchorage area.
One of the deadliest dangers in Alaskan winters is invisible, odorless, and silent. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that kills people each year. For people with compromised respiratory systems or cardiac history, this invisible threat is especially dangerous.
Carbon monoxide comes from things that burn fuel in your home. Your furnace, water heater, fireplace, and gas stove all make this deadly gas. Internal combustion vehicles and generators also produce it. When these items work properly and have good airflow, the gas goes outside safely. But when something goes wrong, carbon monoxide can build up inside your house.
The scary thing about carbon monoxide is that you can't tell it's there. It has no smell, color, or taste. People call it the silent killer because it sneaks up on you. By the time you feel sick, you might be too weak to get help. That's why having a carbon monoxide detector is so important.
Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning feel like having the flu. You might get a headache, feel dizzy, or feel sick to your stomach. You could feel weak or confused. Some people say they feel like they can't catch their breath. If several people in your house feel sick at the same time, carbon monoxide might be the cause.
Alaska's cold weather makes carbon monoxide poisoning more likely. We keep our houses closed up tight to stay warm. We use more heating fuel. Sometimes we bring generators or grills inside when the power goes out. Snow builds up and plugs outlets and vents. These things can trap dangerous gases in our homes.
To protect yourself, buy carbon monoxide alarms for your home. Put one on each floor, especially near bedrooms. Test them every month and change the batteries twice a year. Many fire departments suggest changing batteries when we change our clocks for daylight saving time. It doesn't matter whether they are on your ceiling or floor; they work in both places.
Have your heating system checked every year by a trained person. This includes your furnace, water heater, and chimney. Make sure nothing is blocking the vents that let dangerous gases escape outside. Never use camping stoves, grills, or generators inside your house, garage, or near windows.
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, don't ignore it. Get everyone out of the house right away. Go to fresh air and then call 911. Don't go back inside until responders say it's safe. Even if you feel fine, you should have a doctor check you if the EMTs report high CO levels. Carbon monoxide can hurt your body even when you don't feel very sick.
During power outages, be extra careful. Never use gas stoves to heat your home. Don't run generators in garages or basements. Keep them at least 20 feet away from windows and doors.
For more information about carbon monoxide safety, contact your local fire department. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/carbon-monoxide/about/index.html) offers free information about preventing carbon monoxide poisoning, as does the American Red Cross. And you can also do an internet search for information, but use only websites you trust.
Remember, carbon monoxide alarms are just as important as smoke alarms. They cost less than $50 and could save your life, and you can even buy combination smoke and CO alarms. They even make them with a 10-year battery so you never have to worry about changing it.
Don't wait until tomorrow to protect yourself and your family from this silent killer.
Christian M. Hartley is a 41-year Alaska resident with more than 26 years of public safety and public service experience. He is the public safety director of the City of Houston and serves on many local and state workgroups, boards and commissions related to safety. He lives in Big Lake with his wife of 21 years and their three teenage sons.
