As I watched a television special last month regarding the gap between the rich and poor living in New Jersey, I was horrified. Not only by the plight of the young students struggling against the odds of living in poverty. No, what upset me was that the one young man was showing the journalist how they stayed warm without a furnace. The family kept the all burners of the stove lit and turned up high and the oven on with the door open. This was not only a fire hazard to the family, but it also put the family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. The journalist made no comment regarding of the risk this posed to the family. At the commercial, the journalist did state they did not want to change the story by assisting the participants. But this entire family could have died.

The subzero wind chills of this past January and early February, have kept more Minnesotans hunkered down in their homes with the fireplaces roaring and furnaces blowing away. The cold snap, along with unsafe heating practices, will expose many across the U.S. to carbon monoxide. In the past five years, more than 2500 people have been hospitalized and 140 people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Minnesota. As a MN Realtor, I try hard to keep my clients informed of potential dangers in that could be in any home. Carbon Monoxide (CO) is especially dangerous because it is not detectable by sight or smell. To protect your family, you must have at least one CO detector properly installed in your home. It could save your lives.

So what is carbon monoxide and where does it come from?

Carbon monoxide is a gas produced when fuels like coal, wood, natural gas and propane are burned. This gas cannot be seen and does not have an odor. In a properly ventilated home, CO gas would go up the chimney flue and not accumulate. But poorly maintained appliances, tuck-under or attached garages, and even heavy cigarette smoke can cause a build up of CO when there is not proper ventilation. When homes are tightly sealed against the elements, there is a higher risk of poisoning.

How can I tell if I have been exposed to Carbon Monoxide?

That's the sad thing about CO poisoning. Most people die or become seriously ill because they think they have the flu. The initial symptoms are similar: nausea, headache, fatigue. When a person has been seriously exposed, there is confusion. This, combined with severe drowsiness, is often a lethal combination as the affected person or persons cannot think straight and often just lie down and go to sleep without knowing that they are being poisoned.

There are simple and inexpensive ways to protect your family from this deadly poison. The time is now to take those steps!

• Don't leave a fire to burn out and smolder in your fireplace.
• Don't use your stove, range, oven or dryer as a heat source.
• Never leave your car to warm up in your garage-Even with the door open.
• Never barbecue inside your home or garage.
• Have furnace and other fuel burning appliances checked regularly by qualified professional and verify that all appliances are adequately ventilated.
• Check periodically that your vents and chimneys are not blocked by a nest or other debris. (Or two feet of snow that just fell in Minnesota this past week!)
• Purchase and place Carbon Monoxide detectors that have a loud alarm within 10 feet of every bedroom in your home.

In January 2007, a new law took effect in Minnesota requiring that all new homes and apartments have carbon monoxide detectors installed within 10 feet of each bedroom. Existing homes will be required to have them in 2008 and existing apartment buildings by 2009.

Don't wait for your state to enact a law. This law is only on the books in Minnesota because so many people have needlessly died. Protect yourself and your family by purchasing a CO detector with an alarm. For less than $40, it is one of the best gifts you can give to your loved ones.

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call.   Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2007 Teri Eckholm  http://www.terieckholm.com/