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Carbon Monoxide is called the silent killer because it is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas.

It is produced by gas boilers used for radiant floor heating, gas furnaces, gas water heaters, fireplaces, gas emergency generators, your car or truck and to lesser amounts your gas stoves, gas dryers and gas or charcoal grills.

With the weather we have been having recently with several cooler days and nights, followed by a day or two of warmer weather, you may still have your furnace or boiler running and then you may have your air conditioner or attic fan running.  That combination of both the furnace or boiler and the air handler for the air conditioning running at the same time may cause carbon monoxide that would normally be exhausted through the flue pipe to the outside being drawn back into the house and building up causing you to have flu-like symptoms.  You may feel dizzy, have headaches, become sick, have chest pains, be confused and have impaired judgment.

If you feel sick or have any of these symptoms get out of the house and call 911.  Let the paramedics and firefighter investigate to see if you have a carbon monoxide problem.

If you have a thermostat for the heating system and another thermostat for the cooling system consider having a combined thermostat so that both systems will not run at the same time.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be especially dangerous for people who are sleeping. The fumes may be fatal before anyone realizes there’s a problem.

Purchase and install a carbon monoxide detector.  It can be installed anywhere, but the Fire District recommends installing it on the wall or ceiling near the bedrooms so if the alarm sounds at night and you are sleeping you will hear the alarm.

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Insurance company statistics show that more grease and cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year.

The National Fire Protection Association reports an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, and more than $15 million in property damage each year.

More than one-third of fires involving a fryer start in a garage or patio. Cook outdoors at a safe distance from any buildings or trees and keep the fryer off any wooden structures, such as a deck or patio.

• Avoid a hot oil spill by first filling the pot with cold oil and then lowering the thawed turkey into the pot to determine how much oil should be added or removed.

• Shut off the fuel source or flame when adding the turkey to the hot oil to prevent a dangerous flare-up if oil does spill over the rim.

• Make sure your turkey is properly thawed before lowering it slowly into the pot.

• Never leave a hot turkey fryer unattended.

• Do not use ice or water to cool down oil or extinguish an oil fire.

• Keep an approved fire extinguisher nearby.