Extended cold stretches like the one we're heading into can really have your home's furnace working overtime. And if it's not working right, that can present a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

According to the CDC, carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms can include a headache, dizziness, confusion and vomiting, and confusion.

Erie News Now spoke to City of Erie Fire Marshall Don Sauer about the importance of having a working CO detector in your home.

"Car exhaust produces carbon monoxide and you can smell that," said Sauer. "If that carbon monoxide was coming from somewhere other than a vehicle engine, you wouldn't smell it. So, that's why we recommend the detectors, because you won't know if there's a problem." 

The Erie Times-News is reporting that 76-year old former District-10 Chairman Wally Blucas was hospitalized recently after a carbon monoxide incident down near Philadelphia last month, that one took the life of a 76-year old woman.