Marathon County Health Department Offers Safety Tips for Daylight Savings Time

Friday, November 4th, 2022 -- 10:00 AM

As temperatures continue to drop and Daylight Savings Time comes to an end this weekend, the Marathon County Health Department is reminding residents to put new batteries in their carbon monoxide detectors as well as their smoke detectors when they turn back their clocks on November 6.

“Carbon monoxide poisonings tend to increase in the cooler months,” said Dale Grosskurth, Environmental Health and Safety Director at the Marathon County Health Department. “Now is the time for Marathon County residents to make sure their heating sources, carbon monoxide detectors, and smoke detectors are in good working order.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of every five home fire deaths in the United States occur when smoke detectors are not present or not working properly.

Meanwhile, carbon monoxide poisoning sends about 500 Wisconsinites to the emergency room each year, according to data from the Wisconsin Environmental Public Health Tracking Program.

These trips to the ER for carbon monoxide poisoning are preventable when people are prepared. To protect yourself and your family, follow these safety tips: Make sure you have working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors.

All single-family duplexes and homes in Wisconsin are required to have detectors on every level, including the basement, but not the attic or storage areas.  Detectors can be purchased at most hardware stores for $20-50.

Daylight Savings Time changing is a good time each year to replace the batteries in your detectors and push the “Test” button to be sure they are working properly. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years, while carbon monoxide detectors should be replaced every five years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Have your furnace or wood-burning stove inspected annually.  Hire a professional to make sure it is functionally sound and vents properly outside the home. Never run a gasoline or propane heater or a grill (gas or charcoal) inside your home or garage.

Any heating system that burns fuel produces carbon monoxide. Use a battery-powered detector where you have fuel burning devices but no electric outlets, such as in tents, cabins, and RVs. Generators should be run at a safe distance (at least 20 feet) from the home.

Never run a generator in the home or garage, or right next to windows or doors. Never run a car in an enclosed space.  Even with a door or window open, carbon monoxide levels can still build up to an unsafe level. At high levels, carbon monoxide can cause death within minutes.

Symptoms of overexposure to carbon monoxide include headache, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, and confusion. If you think you may be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, experience smoke in an enclosed space, or your detector sounds an alarm, head outside immediately for fresh air and call 911.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.