Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Winter: Increased Risks & Prevention Tips (Pt. 1)

While spring is just around the corner, earlier this month, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, meaning that winter may just drag on for a few weeks longer this year. If you are living in a colder region of the country, this can mean that you:

• May need to continue to actively run your heaters and other appliances for that much longer
• Should continue to be vigilant about the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, as running heating appliances and devices in the winter can significantly increase these risks.

Taking a closer look at the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter, in this blog series, we will highlight why there are greater risks and what people can do to stay safe and minimize these risks for themselves and their families. If, however, you or a loved one has been diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s crucial that you:

• Follow through with all prescribed treatment options to prevent potentially life-threatening complications
• Contact Colorado Springs Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Attorney Kenneth Shakeshaft to find out more about your options for financial recovery.

Why Do the Risks of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Increase in the Winter?

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, each year in the U.S., more than 430 people die as a result of unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning that is NOT caused by fires. Instead, the causes of such cases of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning typically stem from CO (carbon monoxide) fumes:

• Being produced by indoor energy and/or heating sources, such as portable generators, stoves and/or gas ranges
• Accumulating in enclosed spaces with poor, little and/or no ventilation.

So, during the wintertime in colder regions, it’s far more likely for both of these conditions to present and problematic. In fact, when the above are factors and any of the following conditions are also an issue, the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning can increase substantially:

• Homes lack functioning CO detectors.
• The heating-related appliances in a home are not properly maintained and/or installed.
• The heating-related appliances in a home have defective components and/or are defectively designed, allowing slow leaks of CO gas.

For some important tips regarding how you can reduce your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning in winter, don’t miss the second part of this blog series that will be published soon.

Colorado Springs Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Lawyer at Shakeshaft and Gorman Law Firm, P.C.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning? If so, Colorado Springs Attorney Kenneth Shakeshaft is ready to advocate your rights, help you recover financially and ultimately help you put your life back together.

To talk about your case and your rights, as well as your best options for moving forward, schedule a free initial consultation with us by calling (719) 635-5886 or (800) 383-5886. You can also email us using the contact form on this page. We don’t get paid unless or until you get paid, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by contacting us today.

From our offices in Colorado Springs, we serve people throughout Colorado, including people in the Denver metro area, El Paso County, the Pike’s Peak Region, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Fort Collins, Highlands Ranch, Littleton, and Grand Junction.

Categories: Blog, CO Poisoning