Columbia, SC – Winter officially begins today as South Carolina marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. While the state does not typically experience prolonged winter cold, safety officials say the longest night of the year can still bring increased risks inside homes—particularly from carbon monoxide exposure during overnight temperature drops.
In South Carolina, cold snaps often arrive suddenly, prompting residents to turn on heating systems that may not have been used for months. Space heaters, fireplaces, portable fuel heaters, and backup generators are sometimes used to supplement central heating, especially during overnight lows. With windows closed and limited ventilation, these conditions can allow carbon monoxide to build up indoors.
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuel-burning appliances do not burn completely or are not properly vented. Because it cannot be seen or smelled, it is often referred to as the “invisible killer.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, carbon monoxide poisoning sends tens of thousands of Americans to emergency rooms each year, with spikes often occurring during unexpected cold weather events—even in Southern states.
Medical experts warn that carbon monoxide poisoning disables far more people than it kills, frequently leaving survivors with long-term neurological or cognitive damage. Early symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and confusion. As exposure continues, symptoms can escalate to chest pain, vomiting, impaired coordination, loss of consciousness, and death. Because these symptoms can resemble flu-like illness or general fatigue, many people do not realize the danger until exposure becomes severe.
Fire departments across South Carolina caution that carbon monoxide incidents often rise during cold nights like those surrounding the Winter Solstice. Common causes include space heaters placed too close to walls or furniture, grills or fuel heaters used indoors or on enclosed porches, generators operated too close to homes, and vehicles left running in garages. Even brief exposure in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces can be dangerous.
Safety officials urge South Carolina residents to ensure carbon monoxide detectors are installed on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas, even in homes that rarely use heating systems. 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 operate generators outdoors and away from windows and doors, and to follow manufacturer safety guidelines for heating equipment.
If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, officials 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 South Carolina experiences the longest night of the year, safety officials say the Winter Solstice is more than a seasonal marker. It is also a reminder that carbon monoxide—the invisible killer—can pose a serious but preventable threat when cold weather catches residents unprepared.
