Keep warm this winter and take steps to make sure your family stays safe. 

 
Winter weather is inevitable. Staying warm is good, whether it's from a furnace, fire in the fireplace, or space heater. But the very things that keep us cozy in the cold can endanger our lives. When the temperature drops, the number of fires typically spikes. 

Carbon monoxide poisonings are fire deaths spike in the winter as we switch on our furnaces and turn to alternative heat sources to keep us warm. As you enjoy all that winter has to offer - whether you've ice fishing, hunting or cozy at home - make sure you're also taking steps to protect your loved ones. 

"Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless and deadly," Deputy State Fire Marchall Bob Reif said. "An alarm could be the difference between life and death and is the only way you know if there are dangerous levels of carbon monoxide."

Fuel-burning heating or cooking devices that malfunction (or not ventilated properly) can quickly emit deadly levels of carbon monoxide. We strongly recommend people buy carbon monoxide alarms with a constant digital read-out. "If that isn't reading zero, get out and call 911," Reid said. 

Install carbon monoxide alarms within 10 feet of each sleeping room or inside each sleeping room. Test the alarms, along with your smoke alarms, every month and replace them every five to seven years. 

Doing these three things can save you and your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Only use heaters rated for indoor use.
• Make sure any heating or cooking units are properly ventilated and functioning properly. 
• Install a CO alarm anywhere you are using an alternative heating source, including a hunting blind, cabin or icehouse. 

Electric heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves can also be dangerous if not properly maintained. There were 228 heating fires in Minnesota in 2022. Sixty percent of those started in a fireplace or chimney. Another 31 percent started in a furnace and 3 percent started with a portable heater. Keep portable heaters three feet from anything combustible, and make sure you turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.