LANSING – Gov. Snyder proclaimed Oct. 19-24 Carbon Monoxide Safety and Awareness Week to warn residents about the gas that kills more than 500 Americans each year.

Michigan’s carbon monoxide poisoning tracking system found 34 unintentional deaths and 789 non-fatal unintentional carbon monoxide poisonings in 2013, the most recent year of complete data. Faulty furnaces and water heaters were the most common cause of the poisonings. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas produced by all fuel-burning devices. 

Warning signs include flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion.

Grills, camp stoves or other fuel-burning devices can cause carbon monoxide poisoning, so they should not be used inside homes, basements or garages. Other preventative measures include parking cars outside when they are warming, instead of in the garage, and operating generators outside at least 25 feet away from living spaces.