Winter CO Safety: What ND Fire Chiefs Need to Know and Share

By Marcy Ost, Administrative Assistant

As temperatures drop and North Dakotans head out to ice houses or fire up backup heat sources, the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning climbs fast. For fire departments, especially our volunteer agencies, this is one of the most preventable winter emergencies we face. 

Below is a quick seasonal refresher you can share with your communities, along with key reminders for your crews. 

Why CO Surges in Winter 

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless, and deadly. Winter brings three major risk factors in North Dakota: 

1. Ice Fishing Houses 

Ice houses create the perfect conditions for CO buildup: small spaces, fueled heaters, tight seals, and long hours inside. 

Messages to share with anglers: 

• Always use a battery-operated CO alarm in the ice house—test it before every trip. 

• Ventilate: Crack a window or the door. Even a small opening makes a big difference. 

• Never use a gas generator, propane stove, or grill inside or partially inside the house. 

• If someone feels dizzy, nauseous, or unusually tired, get outside immediately and call 911. 

• Keep heaters clean and properly vented; replace damaged hoses or fittings. 

2. Home Heating 

Cold snaps lead to nonstop furnace use and more supplemental heating. 

Community reminders: 

• Install CO alarms on every floor and outside sleeping areas. 

• Have furnaces, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected yearly. 

• Keep exterior furnace vents clear of snow and ice. 

• Never use ovens or grills to heat a home. 

• If the CO alarm sounds, evacuate and call the fire department—don’t open windows first. 

3. Portable Generators 

During outages or ice storms, generators become a CO danger point. 

Key safety notes: 

• Run generators at least 20 feet from homes, garages, campers, and ice houses. 

• Point the exhaust away from doors, windows, and vents. 

• Never run a generator in a garage—even with the door open. 

• Use outdoor-rated extension cords and avoid overloading circuits. 

What Your Department Can Do This Winter 

Even small actions from volunteer departments can save lives: 

• Share quick CO messages on social media or through local radio. 

• Do a pre-season check on your own CO monitoring equipment. 

• Add CO topics to winter safety talks at schools, sportsmen’s clubs, or community events. 

• Encourage residents to test CO alarms at the same time they test smoke alarms. 

• Partner with local sporting goods stores or bait shops to display CO safety reminders. 

Final Thought 

CO calls spike every winter—and most are entirely preventable. A few well-timed reminders from fire chiefs go a long way in protecting families, hunters, and anglers across North Dakota. 

Keep in Mind