Carbon monoxide poisoning is odorless, invisible, and often referred to as the "silent killer." Snow piling up and blocking low vents can disrupt heating systems, but Zane Hackett, operations manager with National Fuel, explains that the consequences can be even worse. "The most dangerous thing it could lead to is carbon monoxide poisoning due to the malfunctioning of that equipment," he said.

According to CDC reports, about 50,000 people in the U.S. visit the ER each year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Zane explains that these incidents are preventable. "A couple of different things you can do are, first, locate your vent on the outside of your home and make sure it’s clear at all times, especially as snow continues to build up. When you go outside to shovel your driveway, it’s a good time to check and ensure your vents are clear."

The CDC also reports that at least 430 people die each year in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Being aware of the symptoms could save your life or someone else’s. "Critical warning signs would be symptoms like headaches, nausea, fatigue, and cherry-red lips. Those would be some of the primary indicators," Zane noted.

Erie Fire Department’s Donald Sauer shared that they’ve been experiencing an abundance of calls since the first snowstorm in December.

Since carbon monoxide is odorless, it’s crucial to have detectors installed, as you won’t know there’s a problem until it’s too late. "Monoxide is odorless, you can't smell it, which is why we recommend having carbon monoxide detectors. You won’t know there’s an issue until the detector goes off or someone gets sick."