Portland, ME – Winter officially begins today as Maine marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. While the astronomical event signals the gradual return of longer daylight hours, safety officials say it also serves as a critical reminder of hidden dangers that increase inside homes during extreme cold—especially carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to safety experts, the Winter Solstice often coincides with some of the coldest conditions of the season, pushing furnaces, fireplaces, generators, and space heaters into heavier use. With windows closed and ventilation limited, the risk of carbon monoxide buildup rises significantly.
Carbon monoxide, often referred to as the “invisible killer,” is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuel-burning appliances malfunction or are improperly vented. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that carbon monoxide exposure sends tens of thousands of Americans to emergency rooms each year and is especially dangerous during winter months.
Medical experts note that carbon monoxide poisoning disables far more people than it kills, often leaving survivors with long-term neurological damage. Symptoms can begin subtly, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. As exposure increases, victims may experience chest pain, vomiting, loss of coordination, and unconsciousness. Because symptoms can resemble flu-like illness, many people fail to recognize the danger until it becomes severe.
Fire departments across Maine consistently warn that risk spikes during long overnight hours like those experienced on the Winter Solstice. Prolonged darkness means heating systems run longer, generators may be used during outages, and vehicles are sometimes left running in garages—one of the most dangerous sources of indoor carbon monoxide buildup.
Safety officials stress that carbon monoxide alarms are the most effective line of defense. Alarms should be installed outside sleeping areas and on every level of the home, with batteries checked regularly. Residents are also urged never to use grills or fuel-powered heaters indoors, to keep vents and flues clear of snow and ice, and to have heating systems professionally inspected each winter.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, officials say residents should leave the home immediately and call 911 or the local fire department from outside. Even mild symptoms should be treated as a medical emergency.
As Maine moves through the darkest day of the year, experts say awareness is key. The Winter Solstice may be a symbolic turning point toward brighter days, but for home safety, it is also a moment to pause, prepare, and protect against dangers that cannot be seen or smelled—but can be deadly.
