Prairie State Wire

Winter in Illinois brings cold weather and increased risks of home heating fires and carbon monoxide incidents. The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) advises residents to ensure their furnaces are inspected, filters changed, and carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms are functioning. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas detectable only by specific devices.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) states that heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. From 2018 to 2022, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 40,997 fires involving heating equipment annually, resulting in 470 civilian deaths each year. Space heaters were responsible for the majority of these losses.

Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera emphasized the importance of working CO detectors: "We have already seen tragedy strike in the state when it comes to carbon monoxide this winter. It's so important to have working CO detectors in your home and test them monthly."

In 2024, Illinois Fire Departments received 23,158 calls related to carbon monoxide, identifying leaks at 8,176 locations.

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms resemble flu symptoms and include headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. Other indicators include condensation on walls or windows and sluggish pets. If you suspect a CO leak or if your alarm activates, evacuate immediately if possible.

Additional safety tips include having heating equipment inspected annually by professionals; keeping flammable items three feet away from heat sources; testing smoke and CO alarms monthly; installing detectors on each floor; never using ovens as heaters; and turning off portable heaters when leaving rooms or sleeping.