Health
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Increases During Winter Months, Safety Tips
“We have had a cold spell here recently and a lot of times during these cold spells, or during the wintertime, we respond to an increased call of natural gas odors in a home,” Chief Sam DiGiovanna of Verdugo Fire Academy shared.
Carbon monoxide: a silent poison.
“Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas,” Chief DiGiovanna continued. “You can’t even smell it.”
But this is the time of year where its silence is broken.
Thursday, 13 people in a Massachusetts apartment building were hospitalized because of a carbon monoxide leak.
When first responders arrived, CO2 levels were off the charts and connected it to a furnace and faulty stove.
This just shows just how quickly one, small leak can impact your health.
But there are warning signs if there is a leak in your home.
“If you start feeling flu-like symptoms or achy or you just feel very tired, there’s a good chance you may be having carbon monoxide symptoms,” Chief DiGiovanna explained. “ I say that with hesitation because right now is flu season and we have COVID 19 that’s running and starting to spike a bit. If you start feeling that way, and maybe several people start feeling that way in your house, I would get out of the house, open the house up, air it out and call 911.”
However, there are many ways people can prevent these leaks before they happen.
“Have your filters checked every month,” Chief DiGiovanna said. “Make sure that they are clean and if they’re not, replace them especially during the wintertime to make sure that they are working efficiently. If you check the flame, if the flame is yellow or large and unsteady, you know that there’s probably a problem with your appliance. Shut it off.”
And don’t turn to other heat sources like your oven or barbeque.
“They’ll use their stoves, they’ll even bring in their barbecues inside their house and heat those barbecues up to try to keep warm. That’s very dangerous. You could get carbon monoxide poisoning very easily with that. Please, please do not do that,” Chief DiGiovanna continued.
For Chief DiGiovanna, the most important prevention tactic is to have a carbon monoxide detector in your home.
Especially in the desert where we don’t use heaters too often, it’s even more important to have your furnace checked yearly by heating and air contractors to ensure you will have a warm and safe winter ahead.
By: Carmela Karcher
December 16, 2022
Latest Instagram Posts
Murder Suspect Vicky Kim was set to appear in court at the Larson Justice Center today following her recent medical clearance to appear in court, but refused. However, she may be forced to appear should she refuse again. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs as we follow the latest developments of this case #VickyKim #arraignment #courtupdate #riversidecounty
🚨 20 ARRESTS. 6 GUNS SEIZED. Cathedral City Police report 20 arrests and six handgun seizures following two days of enforcement tied to a Mongols Motorcycle Club gathering. Police also issued 77 citations and impounded 14 vehicles. The operation involved multiple law enforcement agencies and was four weeks in the making. #CathedralCity #BreakingNews #Mongols #CoachellaValley #PublicSafety
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry: last day of summer!
Who makes the NBC Top 3, winner will be announced Sunday night on NBC Palm Springs, with the player who makes the number one spot winning a $250 prize from @hondaofthedesert! Comment below if it will be 1 Silias Bloodworth with the scoop and score, 2) Eusebio Gallo with the kickoff touchdown, 3) Keymorie Rogers with the throw on the run, 4) Damian Durinzi with the rushing TD, or 5) Mario Gallo with the dot towards the endzone #fypage #fridaynightlights #football #hondaofthedesert #highschoolfootball
Hundreds gathered outside the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for the “Hands Around the Kennedy Center” rally, protesting President Donald Trump’s handling of the performing arts center. The demonstration came after the Kennedy Center board voted to close the facility for repairs and amid an ongoing dispute over the center’s future. Actress and singer Lynda Carter was among those who addressed the crowd. apnews.com Watch the latest video on NBC Palm Springs.
Alice B. has announced it’s closing its doors. It’s cozy atmosphere and unique seasonal menu made it a must try and even landed it in the Michelin guide. @susanfeniger and @marysuemilliken left their mark on the desert over at Living Out and it will be missed. Here’s a clip from one of our last interviews with Susan.
Cathedral City City Council votes to rename “LGBT+ Days” to “Cathedral City Pride”. The council approved the change in a 5-0 vote during its latest meeting, updating the official name of the city’s annual celebration. Stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs to see what this means to the Coachella Valley Community #CathedralCity #pride #CityCouncil #CoachellaValley #LocalNews
Discover the Coachella Valley with the Everything Palm Springs app. From iconic attractions and hidden gems to local restaurants, shops, entertainment and even filming locations, the map-based app is designed to help both visitors and locals find more of what the desert has to offer. Creator Lindsay Kinkle is also expanding the app with video tours and narrated guides, giving users another way to explore Palm Springs and the surrounding communities. Local businesses like Buena Matcha are also getting a chance to connect with new customers through the platform. As Lindsay says, there’s so much to do and enjoy here — you just have to know where to look. #PalmSprings #CoachellaValley #EverythingPalmSprings #PalmSpringsApp #VisitPalmSprings DesertLife LocalBusiness CoachellaValleyBusiness NBCPalmSprings
Social Time with Thalia & Jerry
What’s next for Palm Desert? Join community leaders, local businesses and regional stakeholders for the 2026 State of the City Address. Topics: • Economic Development • Infrastructure • Public Safety • Community Programs • Palm Desert’s Future CTA: Friday, September 18 | 11:30 AM JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort