UTAH

Carbon monoxide: A danger in the past and today

Nov 11, 2024, 6:00 AM

Salt Lake City fire fighters discuss potential sources of deadly carbon monoxide in the home and th...

Salt Lake City fire fighters discuss potential sources of deadly carbon monoxide in the home and the importance of having working carbon monoxide alarms at a press conference at SLCFD Station #1 in Salt Lake City Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013. (Jeffrey_Allred, Deseret News)

(Jeffrey_Allred, Deseret News)

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s beginning to look a lot like … time to check the carbon monoxide detector … everywhere you go.

Not only the one that you took off your ceiling when it started beeping and never put back up when you changed the battery. No, you need to also look at the others in your house, placed preferably on each floor and stuck close to the baseboards.

Poison control centers, fire departments, universities and medical professionals remind people each year about the importance of not only having a detector but keeping it up to date and placing it in the best spots.

Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless, colorless

Sherrie Pace, from the Utah Poison Control Center, sends the same message, especially knowing that carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and colorless, so everyone needs to be extra aware before it’s too late.

“People are the most surprised that carbon monoxide can come from things inside the home: fireplaces, stoves, water heaters, furnaces,” she said. “We get between 300-400 calls with people calling about a carbon dioxide concern … and we’re glad they call. We call this ‘the silent killer,’ so we want people to call us before something worse happens.”

Each year in the U.S., roughly 100,000 people head to the emergency room with a carbon monoxide-related issue. Nearly 14,000 of them will be admitted for carbon monoxide poisoning. In 2022, the most recent year data was available, slightly more than 600 died as a result of non-intentional carbon monoxide ingestion.

Please read the complete story and more from Ivy Farguheson at KSL.com.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Utah

Water meets the southern shore of Great Salt Lake in Aug. 2024. Grow the Flow is displaying Great S...

Mariah Maynes

New Great Salt Lake billboards show lake’s status

Grow the Flow's new Great Salt Lake billboards were designed to make lake-level data more visible.

45 minutes ago

SpaceX launched 23 Starlink satellites from California on Feb. 10, 2025. They could be seen from so...

Carlysle Price

SpaceX launch seen soaring across southern Utah

According to SpaceX, 23 Starlink satellites were launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base at approximately 7:09 p.m. Mountain Time.

12 hours ago

Clearfield High School's Leah Crossley, left, and Northridge High School's Anabelle Ure study medic...

Heather Peterson

Utah’s house speaker seeks funding for technical education

Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz is looking to give Utah high school students more technical education opportunities.

13 hours ago

starting seeds...

Mariah Maynes

Planning on starting seeds this spring? You’ll need these 3 things

Are you interested in starting seeds this planting season? A horticulturist joined the KSL Greenhouse Show to discuss what you'll need.

14 hours ago

Tooele County officials said a pilot and co-pilot were uninjured after they made emergency landing ...

Simone Seikaly

Small plane lands near Rowley Road in Tooele, pilot, co-pilot uninjured

The Tooele County Sheriff's Office said the pilot and co-pilot experienced engine trouble and communication issues.

15 hours ago

(Iron County Sheriff's Office)...

Michael Houck

Three-story manufacturing plant catches on fire near Cedar City

Several fire departments responded to a massive fire at a Cedar City manufacturing plant Monday morning.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Carbon monoxide: A danger in the past and today