Charleston, WV – Winter officially begins today as West Virginia observes the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. While the solstice marks a seasonal turning point and the gradual return of daylight in the weeks ahead, safety officials warn it also signals a heightened period of risk inside homes—particularly from carbon monoxide exposure.
The longest night of the year often coincides with colder temperatures across the Appalachian region, leading residents to rely more heavily on furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves, and space heaters. In rural areas, generators may also be used during winter storms or power outages. With windows closed and homes sealed to keep in warmth, ventilation is reduced, creating conditions where carbon monoxide can 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 commonly 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 winter months posing the highest risk.
Medical experts warn that carbon monoxide poisoning disables far more people than it kills, often leaving survivors with long-term neurological or cognitive 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-like illness or general winter fatigue, many people do not realize what is happening until exposure becomes severe.
Fire departments across West Virginia consistently caution that long overnight periods—such as those experienced during the Winter Solstice—are especially dangerous. Extended darkness means heating systems may run for hours without interruption, fireplaces and wood stoves may be used more frequently, and vehicles are sometimes left idling in garages or near homes to warm up. Running a vehicle or generator too close to living spaces remains a leading cause of deadly carbon monoxide exposure.
Safety officials urge West Virginia 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 debris, and to schedule regular inspections of heating systems.
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 West Virginia moves through the longest night of the year, safety officials say the Winter Solstice is more than a seasonal milestone. It is also a reminder that carbon monoxide—the invisible killer—poses a serious but preventable danger when awareness and preparation fall short.
