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Hi. I'm State Representative Terry Brown. Welcome to "Talking With Terry."

With so many people struggling to make ends meet right now, some folks end up using dangerous heating practices at home.  Sometimes, this can contribute to the problem of carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas that you can't see, smell or taste.  Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause illness or even death very quickly, before you even realize there's a problem. Every year, hundreds of people in Michigan are hospitalized and 15 to 20 people die as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, nausea, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are similar to the flu.  If you feel better when you leave your home, though, or if many of your family members become ill at the same time, it may be carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you suspect that's what's happening, you should move yourself, your family and your pets outside immediately. If you don't, you could pass out within minutes and die.  It's important if you suspect carbon monoxide to call 9-1-1 from outside your home. 

To PREVENT carbon monoxide poisoning, follow these rules:

DO NOT use an oven or range to heat your home.

DO NOT use a portable gas or kerosene heater inside a home or other enclosed space.

NEVER sleep in a room with an un-vented gas or kerosene space heater.

DO NOT run a generator inside your house or in your garage, and keep it away from windows and doors where gas can seep in.

NEVER use charcoal or propane grills or camp stoves indoors. …

And, finally, DO NOT let a vehicle run in an attached garage.

You should also have your furnace or other heating system checked each year.

Because you can't see, smell or taste carbon monoxide, it's very important to have a carbon monoxide detector near every bedroom…  in addition to smoke alarms on every floor. 

I also want to make sure that folks who are at risk of having their utilities shut off know where to turn for help.

The death of the Bay City gentleman whose electricity was disconnected was a shameful tragedy that NEVER should have happened.  If you are having trouble keeping up with your utility bills, make sure to call the company to see if you can make arrangements to keep the power on.  If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  We will listen and do everything we can to help.  And please make sure to check in on your elderly neighbors and friends regularly. You can call me, toll-free, at (888) 254-5284. Or, you can e-mail me at terrybrown@house.mi.gov.  I am here to serve you and your family.

Thank you for listening to "Talking with Terry."

Make it a great day!