Keep your family safe from carbon monoxide poisoning this winter

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Carbon monoxide, or CO, is often referred to as the "silent killer."

"Its odorless, it's colorless. There's no way to know physically if it's present," said Decatur Fire Inspector Matt Jones.

People may be trying to warm up their homes, but don't realize what they're using could be incredibly dangerous.

"If you have a gas furnace, if you have a gas water heater, you know, you're heating your house with your fireplace, that's typically where you'll see that," said Jones. "So you can see carbon monoxide if you have a gas heater throughout the year."

Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause a variety of symptoms. If you're experiencing nausea, dizziness, confusion, or even shortness of breath, it's vital to get out into the fresh air.

"It's important to have your furnace serviced and inspected before every season," explained Jones. "That can help prevent this, or carbon monoxide developing in your home as well."

You also need to make sure that the carbon monoxide detector in in a good spot.

"They can be plugged into the wall. We recommend installing them about 5 feet or eye level … and then ensuring that you have one close to all of the sleeping bedrooms in your home," said Jones.

Never heat your car up in a garage.

"If you have a attached garage or even a detached garage that's pretty close to your home, that can get into the house…you don't want any kind of engine inside your home that'll produce high levels of carbon monoxide," said Jones.

But if your alarm does go off, it's important to act fast.

"If your detector is going off, and you call us to come investigate that, we recommend that you open your windows and get outside of the house … if you're feeling ill in any sort of way, get outside of the house and call 911," said Jones.

As a reminder, in the state of Illinois, it's required that all households that have a garage have a carbon monoxide detector. If you're renting, make sure that you have one in your space, and that it's functioning properly.