According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Utah emergency departments treated 276 patients for possible carbon monoxide poisoning in 2023.

Across the country last year, the colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, sometimes referred to as “the silent killer,” caused more than 400 deaths — less than 11 in Utah over the past two years — and 100,000 emergency department visits.

Because the risk for poisoning by carbon monoxide, abbreviated CO, rises in the winter months, Utah Poison Control, Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Unified Fire Authority and Enbridge Gas Utah, Wyoming and Idaho (formerly Dominion Energy) have joined together to send a message of warning to the public about the dangers of CO poisoning, its symptoms, prevention tips and what someone should do if they think they’ve fallen victim.

“Carbon monoxide is a highly toxic, colorless and odorless gas,” said Dr. Alejandra Maldonado, state toxicologist for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. “It can build up in homes. And because our senses can’t detect if, it is very dangerous and can even lead to death.”

Maldonado said CO is found in fumes produced any time fuel is burned in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, grills, fireplaces (both gas and wood burning), gas ranges or furnaces.

“Breathing in CO reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body,” she said.

Sherrie Pace, outreach education manager for Utah Poison Control, said the center receives approximately 300-400 calls per year from people suspecting they’ve been poisoned by CO. Last year, the center received 377 calls.

When people call, Pace said they are always advised to leave the home or building and get to fresh air.

“Get help right away,” she said. “Common symptoms include headache, upset stomach, dizziness or shortness of breath. High levels of CO exposure can cause vomiting, confusion and loss of consciousness. Severe CO poisoning can cause brain damage or even death.”

Guidance from Pace includes: Do not run vehicles in the garage, even with the door open; never use a gas oven to heat a home; and don’t use a generator in an enclosed space, such as a garage, tent or near an open window or vents of a home.

Pace also said it’s important to have a home’s furnace, water heater and fuel-burning appliances inspected yearly and to have the fireplace, chimney and flue cleaned each year.

“Install CO detectors in your home, near sleeping areas and change batteries regularly,” she said. “Daylight saving time is a great way to remember to change the batteries.”

It’s also extremely important, she added, not to ignore a CO detector that goes off.

“It might actually be doing its job and alerting you that CO levels are high,” Pace said.

Enbridge Energy also said on its website that CO detectors should be installed on every level of a home and stated that generators, grills and other gas-powered devices should never be used indoors or less than 20 feet from windows, doors or vents.

Other tips include:

• Check for appliance flames that are blue. Yellow indicates incomplete combustion and CO production.
• Regularly vacuum around burners to prevent lint buildup.
• During snowstorms, clear snow from vents and flues to prevent CO buildup.
• Only use space heaters approved by local fire codes.

Most importantly, Pace said, don’t try to locate the source of CO. Instead, get everyone, including any pets, outside and call for help.

Utah Poison Control can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. If someone is unconscious or having breathing problems, 911 should be called immediately. If a pet has been exposed, take it to the nearest veterinary emergency room or call the Pet Poison Help Line at 800-213-6680.