Last spring, I had a typical morning of dropping off my kids at school. I can’t recall the exact time or weather, or even what I wore, but after visiting two schools, I pulled into the garage sometime between 9:05 and 9:12 a.m. After closing the garage door and disabling the alarm, I likely spent the next seven hours doing chores, scheduling appointments, or catching up on my favorite shows.
It was around 4:15 p.m. when I headed back to the garage to pick up my kids that I noticed my car was still running. In an enclosed garage. Attached to my house. Directly beneath my bedroom. For seven hours. The expression on the firefighters’ faces when they arrived told me everything: I had narrowly escaped a dangerous situation.
I often replay that day in my mind, pondering the sequence of events leading up to it. Why hadn’t I turned off the engine? Was I too engrossed in a phone conversation? Did I accidentally activate the remote start while juggling my phone, keys, and coffee? Regardless of the reason, either scenario could have turned fatal.
Did you know that allowing your car to idle in a garage can lead to a dangerous build-up of carbon monoxide, which can seep back into your home? I certainly didn’t. Those chilly winter mornings spent warming up the car to avoid freezing kids, rushing back inside for a forgotten lunch, or chatting on the phone while the engine ran—each one of those seemingly harmless actions posed a lethal risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unintentional carbon monoxide exposure claims about 400 American lives each year. The gas is invisible, odorless, and can be lethal within minutes.
Here are some steps to help keep you safe:
- Never leave your car running in an attached garage, even if the door is open. Fumes can accumulate quickly, affecting both your garage and living spaces. Avoid running your vehicle while clearing snow around it too; snow can block the exhaust and cause carbon monoxide to gather inside the vehicle.
- If your car has a tailgate, always open the vents or windows whenever the tailgate is opened to ensure proper airflow. If only the tailgate is open, carbon monoxide from the exhaust can be drawn into the vehicle.
- Portable generators and gasoline-powered tools (like mowers, trimmers, and snow blowers) should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces like garages.
- If you haven’t done so already, install a carbon monoxide detector immediately. If it goes off, exit the building and call 911. If you experience symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, or confusion, leave the area immediately and seek medical help.
For further information on carbon monoxide safety, check out resources from the EPA here and the CDC here.
In summary, staying aware of potential dangers in your home, like carbon monoxide, is crucial for the safety of you and your family. Simple actions can make a significant difference.
Keyphrase: carbon monoxide safety
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