When temperatures start dropping, it is time to turn up the heat. However, doing so can present the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. People may take various steps to help prevent CO poisoning.

Using a battery-operated CO detector will allow homeowners to monitor CO levels in their home and be alerted if the levels get too high. Homeowners should also have chimneys cleaned and inspected each year by a qualified professional.

Children and pets, and anything that can burn, should be kept at least 3 feet away from open fires and space heaters. People should ensure their space heaters have been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Space heaters should be placed on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as ceramic tile floor, not on rugs or carpets or near bedding or drapes. Space heaters should always be plugged directly into electrical outlets; never use power strips or extension cords, as these may overheat and cause a fire. A space heater should never be left turned on when the home's occupants are sleeping, and space heaters should not be placed close to any sleeping person. People should always turn off space heaters when they leave the room.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, chest pain, weakness, dizziness and confusion. Symptoms mimic flu symptoms, but CO poisoning does not cause a fever. If anyone is experiencing similar symptoms at home, but the symptoms go away when they leave home, they may have CO poisoning; to ensure the person's safety, 911 should be called.