09/18/2026
In honor of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day on September 18 of each year, is sharing carbon monoxide safety messages to help save lives from the “silent killer.”
What is carbon monoxide (CO)? CO is an odorless, colorless gas created when natural fuels used in household items such as heaters or gas-powered generators burn incompletely. In the home, barbecue grills, fireplaces, and fuel-powered heaters are potential CO sources. Outdoors, generators are used by campers and RV owners during recreation activities. After severe weather, generators are also frequently used to provide power if a home or business’s electrical system or power supply has been damaged or destroyed.
Breathing high levels of carbon monoxide can cause loss of consciousness or even death. Common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and confusion. Many of these symptoms are similar to common colds or seasonal flu.
Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day was first recognized in 2015 when the Tennessee General Assembly approved legislation that declared September 18 of each calendar year as Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day in Tennessee.
The designation was made in honor of five friends who died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning on September 18, 2011, in Clarksville. Jon and Kathryn Over, Jim Wall, Tim Stone, and Allison Bagwell-Wyatt lost their lives at a children's charity fundraiser when carbon monoxide fumes seeped into their rented RV from a generator. The RV’s carbon monoxide detector, which could have prevented the tragedy, was later discovered to have no batteries.
-Never use a gas generator inside your home, garage, carport basement, crawlspace, or outside near a window, door, or vent. A generator should only be used outdoors and at least 15 feet away from buildings. It is dangerous to use a gas or kerosene heater inside a home or other building.
-Never use a gas range or gas oven to heat your home. Do not use a gas or charcoal grill indoors, and do not burn charcoal in your fireplace.
-Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home or RV. For the best protection, interconnect all carbon monoxide alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound. Choose an alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation.
-If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, immediately move to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door, and account for everyone inside the structure. Call for help from a fresh air location and stay there until emergency personnel arrive.
