Boston, MA – Winter officially begins today as Massachusetts marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. While the solstice is often associated with seasonal tradition and the promise of longer days ahead, safety officials say it also marks one of the most dangerous periods of the year inside homes—when carbon monoxide risks quietly rise.
The Winter Solstice brings extended darkness and colder temperatures, conditions that push heating systems into near-constant operation. Furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, and backup generators are used more heavily, while homes remain sealed tightly against the cold. These conditions create the perfect environment for carbon monoxide to accumulate indoors.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuel-burning appliances do not burn completely or are improperly vented. Because it cannot be seen or smelled, it is often referred to as the “invisible killer.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that carbon monoxide poisoning sends tens of thousands of Americans to emergency rooms each year, with winter months accounting for the majority of incidents.
Medical experts warn that carbon monoxide poisoning disables far more people than it kills, frequently leaving survivors with long-term neurological damage. Early symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. As exposure continues, symptoms can worsen to chest pain, vomiting, impaired coordination, loss of consciousness, and death. Because these warning signs can resemble flu or general winter illness, many people do not realize they are being poisoned until exposure becomes severe.
Fire departments across Massachusetts consistently warn that long overnight periods—such as those experienced during the Winter Solstice—are especially dangerous. Extended darkness means heating systems run longer, generators may be used during winter storms or outages, and vehicles are sometimes left idling in garages to warm up. Running a car in an attached or enclosed garage is one of the most common and deadly sources of carbon monoxide exposure.
Safety officials urge Massachusetts residents to ensure carbon monoxide detectors are installed on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. Alarms should be tested regularly, and batteries replaced as needed. Residents are also advised never to use grills, camp stoves, or fuel-powered heaters indoors, to keep exhaust vents and chimneys clear of snow and ice, and to have heating systems professionally inspected each winter.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, experts say residents should leave the home immediately and call 911 or the local fire department from outside. Anyone experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure should seek emergency medical care without delay.
As Massachusetts experiences the longest night of the year, officials say the Winter Solstice serves as more than a seasonal milestone. It is also a reminder that carbon monoxide—the invisible killer—poses a real and preventable danger when awareness and preparation fall short.
