Wintry mix spreads across Minnesota

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The state’s fire marshal says Minnesota has already seen several suspected carbon monoxide deaths this winter, a season when CO poisoning occurs more often.

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that can be emitted by anything burning with a flame, such as stoves, furnaces and water heaters. A concentration of CO indoors can cause severe illness or death if unrecognized.

“Unfortunately some of the symptoms that come along with CO poisoning are mimicking what we see with COVID right now: headache, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath,” said state Fire Marshal Jim Smith. “So they may think they’re just coming down with a cold or something like that, and they dismiss it and things go south.”

 homes to have at least one carbon monoxide alarm within 10 feet of every bedroom. Alarms can be hard-wired, battery-powered or plugged in. Most need to be replaced every five to seven years.

Prevent CO poisoning with these recommendations from Smith and the Minnesota Department of Health:

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Carbon monoxide poisoning is more common in the winter, and the state’s fire marshal says he’s already seen several suspected CO deaths this winter.

How to stay safe from carbon monoxide poisoning

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