West Chester, Pa (November 21, 2025) – As winter approaches, state Senator Carolyn Comitta is reminding residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, deadly gas that sends more than 100,000 Americans to the emergency room each year.
“With the colder temperatures, many of us are using furnaces, stoves, boilers, or appliances that produce carbon monoxide,” Comitta said. “It’s important to remember that this is when the risk of carbon monoxide exposure is greatest. Please take steps to protect yourself and your family, starting with installing a carbon monoxide detector.”
Comitta recently welcomed the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation to the State Capitol in Harrisburg to mark Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month and spread the word about how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Known as “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic gas produced by devices that burn fuels, such as vehicles, furnaces, generators, grills, and many others that are found in our everyday lives. It can strike in your home, vehicle, garage, work shed, tent, or another enclosed or poorly ventilated space.
According to the CDC, non-fire-related poisoning, including CO, is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S., with major sources including home heating systems, generators, and vehicle exhaust. Each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning not linked to fires, and more than 14,000 are hospitalized.
Tragically, one of those was 16-year-old Carly Marie Imbierowicz of Highland Township, whose life was cut short by CO poisoning on November 22, 2014. 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 CO, especially among young people and new drivers.
For nearly a decade, they have worked to prevent CO poisoning by sharing life-saving information and donating hundreds of CO detectors to community organizations and families in our region.
“Thanks to everyone who has supported us and the Save a Family – Save a Pet Carbon Monoxide Awareness campaign. We know how proud Carly is of everyone and we know she is saving lives,” Donna Imbierowicz said.
Comitta and the Carly Imbierowicz Foundation also encourage residents to educate themselves on the dangers of carbon monoxide:
- Have heaters, gas-burning appliances, and chimneys regularly inspected to make sure they are safe.
- Install CO detectors on each floor of a home, a garage, and near any gas-burning appliance.
- Make sure your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is free of snow, mud, leaves, or debris.
- Know the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning – nausea, headaches, confusion, and drowsiness.
- Never use generators, grills, or camp stoves inside your home or garage, even if doors and windows are open.
- Never heat your house with a gas oven.
- Remember that children, pregnant women, the elderly, those with respiratory issues, and pets can be especially vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.
- If you feel you are experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get to fresh air immediately.
Experts also warn that CO poisoning is often mistaken for other illnesses or conditions, including the flu, food poisoning, migraine headaches, motion sickness, or alcohol intoxication, due to their similar initial symptoms.
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.
For more information on Carly Imbierowicz Foundation, visit www.cmiawareness.org
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