As Oregonians turn on furnaces, light fireplaces, and pull out space heaters for colder months, emergency responders across the state are bracing for a predictable and preventable seasonal threat. November marks Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal urges Oregonians and visitors to be aware of the silent killer lurking in fuel-burning household appliances.

In 2025, 83% of Oregon’s 300+ fire agencies reported responding to 417 carbon monoxide-related calls statewide. Cold weather drives this sharp uptick: 26% of Oregon’s carbon monoxide-related incidents happen in the fall, rising to 36% in the winter months. Oregon Health Authority data show carbon monoxide poisoning kills an average of 18 people and causes nearly 41 hospitalizations or emergency room visits in Oregon every year.

Nationally, the toxic gas leads to more than 100,000 emergency room visits and 1,200 deaths annually.

"Carbon monoxide gives no warning; you cannot see it, smell it, or taste it," State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. "As we enter peak heating season, taking a few minutes to inspect fuel-burning appliances and test your carbon monoxide alarms can mean the difference between life and death."

Why the Hazard Spikes in Winter

Carbon monoxide is produced whenever fuels like natural gas, propane, heating oil, wood, kerosene, or gasoline burn incompletely. During colder months, there are multiple risks:

Overworked heating equipment: Uninspected furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, and wood or pellet stoves can leak dangerous concentrations of carbon monoxide directly into home living spaces.
Improper generator & tool use: Running portable generators, charcoal grills, or fuel-powered tools indoors or near open windows during power outages traps deadly exhaust inside.
Vehicle warm-ups in garages: Running a vehicle engine inside an attached garage, even with the garage door wide open, allows toxic gas to rapidly seep into the home.

Recognizing the Flu Impostor

Carbon monoxide poisoning is notoriously difficult to identify because early symptoms closely resemble the flu without a fever. Warning signs include:

Headache, dizziness, and physical weakness
Upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting
Chest pain and mental confusion

Because carbon monoxide exposure directly impairs cognitive function and judgment, those poisoned often lose the ability to recognize the danger before they can self-rescue.

How to Reduce Your Risk: Essential Prevention Checklist

The Oregon State Fire Marshal urges everyone to take these life-saving precautions:

Install working alarms: Oregon law requires carbon monoxide alarms on every level with bedrooms in homes sold or rented and installed within 15 feet of bedroom doors.
Test monthly & maintain: Press the test button on your carbon monoxide alarms every month. Replace removable batteries as directed and replace the entire alarm unit every 10 years (or per manufacturer recommendations).
Keep generators outdoors: Always operate portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and building vents.
Schedule annual inspections: Have heating equipment, chimneys, and fuel-burning appliances inspected yearly by qualified professionals.

For more carbon monoxide safety resources, educational guides, and home safety toolkits, visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal website at oregon.gov/osfm.

Source: Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office

Christie in the Morning