Special to The Hays Daily News

TOPEKA -- With cold weather comes an increase in the number of fuel-burning appliances being used in the home. Furnaces, ovens, space heaters, generators, indoor grills and fireplaces are used more often, and they can cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to build up in the home.

"Most families understand the importance of having working smoke alarms in every sleeping area of their home, but they do not always feel the same about carbon monoxide alarms," said Cherie Sage, state director of Safe Kids Kansas. "Carbon monoxide is so dangerous because it is odorless, colorless, tasteless and it can kill. Carbon monoxide can make a child seriously ill in small doses that might not noticeably affect an adult."

According to a 2004 to 2006 study, children younger than 5 years old had the highest rate of carbon monoxide-related visits to the emergency room among all age groups in the U.S. Nationally, more than 25 kids die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year.

Important safety tips to protect families from carbon monoxide poisoning:

* Prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the first place. Make sure heating appliances are in good condition and used only in well-ventilated areas.

* Don't run a car engine in the garage even with the garage doors open. To warm up a vehicle, move it outside.

* Install a carbon monoxide alarm outside every sleeping area, on every level of a home and at least 15 feet away from every fuel-burning appliance.

* When checking smoke alarm batteries every month, check the batteries in the carbon monoxide alarms at the same time and replace the batteries twice a year.

* Never use an oven for heating living spaces.

* Portable generators must be used outside for proper ventilation. They cannot be used indoors or inside of a garage.

* Have gas-, oil- or coal-burning appliances inspected by a technician every year to ensure they're working correctly and are ventilated properly.

If more than one person in the home suddenly feels ill for no apparent reason or if a carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get everyone outside immediately and call 911 from a pre-arranged meeting place.

"Carbon monoxide alarms are available at hardware stores for about $20," Sage said. "That is a small price to pay to help detect odorless, poisonous gases in the home before it's too late."