State Sen. Carolyn Comitta recently joined members of the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation to warn residents and families of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning during November, which is observed as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month.

Carbon monoxide, more commonly referred to as CO, is a highly toxic gas, produced by devices that burn fuels like vehicles, furnaces, generators, grills and many others that are found in everyday life.

According to the National Carbon Monoxide Awareness Association, it is responsible for 50,000 visits to the emergency room each year, and tragically, 1,200 deaths.

One of those was 16-year-old Carly Marie Imbierowicz of Highland Township whose life was cut short by carbon monoxide poisoning on Nov. 22, 2014, along with that of her friend Daulton Pointek. In the wake of their family tragedy, her parents, Donna and Matt, launched the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing information and raising awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide, especially among young people and new drivers.

For nearly a decade, they have worked to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by sharing life-saving information and resources. Recently, they donated about a thousand carbon monoxide detectors to community organizations to be distributed to neighbors in need.

Comitta and the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation also encourage residents to educate themselves on the dangers of carbon monoxide, offering the following tips: Have heaters and gas-burning appliances regularly inspected to make sure they are safe. Install carbon monoxide detectors on each floor of a home and near any gas-burning appliance. People should make sure that their vehicle's exhaust pipe is free of snow, mud, leaves or debris. Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning - nausea, headaches, confusion and drowsiness. Remember that children can be especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning. Those who feel that they are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning should get to fresh air immediately.

In recognition of the work of the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation and other advocates, Comitta introduced a Senate resolution officially designating November as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month. In addition, the Pennsylvania State Capitol dome was lit up in yellow from Nov. 20 to 26 in recognition of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month.

For more information on the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation, visit http://www.cmiawareness.org