Every winter, Chicago sees a spike in carbon monoxide emergencies - not because the cold is worse than other cities, but because so many homes rely on old furnaces, space heaters, and chimneys that aren’t checked often enough. In 2025, Chicago Fire Department responded to over 1,200 carbon monoxide incidents, with 17 hospitalizations and three deaths directly tied to faulty heating equipment. This isn’t just a statistic. It’s your neighbor’s story. It’s your story, too, if you don’t take simple steps before the next cold snap hits.
Why Chicago Is Especially at Risk
Chicago winters are brutal. Temperatures regularly drop below zero, and many homes - especially older brick buildings and row houses - still use gas furnaces, wood-burning fireplaces, or kerosene heaters. These systems, if not maintained, leak carbon monoxide without warning. Unlike smoke, CO is odorless, colorless, and silent. You won’t smell it. You won’t see it. But you’ll feel it: headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion. By the time you realize something’s wrong, it might be too late.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, nearly 60% of CO poisonings in the state happen between November and February. Chicago’s building codes require CO detectors in all homes with fuel-burning appliances, but enforcement is patchy. Many renters don’t know if their unit has one. Landlords sometimes install cheap, outdated models that fail silently.
How Carbon Monoxide Gets Into Your Home
Carbon monoxide isn’t created by fire itself. It’s made when fuel doesn’t burn completely. That happens when:
- Your furnace’s heat exchanger cracks - common in units over 15 years old
- A chimney is blocked by bird nests, ice, or soot buildup
- A space heater is placed too close to curtains or furniture
- A gas dryer or water heater is vented improperly
- You run a car or generator in an attached garage, even with the door open
One real example: In January 2025, a family in Logan Square lost two children after their 20-year-old furnace developed a small crack. The CO seeped into the living area. They didn’t have a working detector. The system had been serviced three years earlier - but the technician didn’t check the heat exchanger. That’s not rare. Most routine tune-ups skip that critical step.
What You Need to Do Now
You can’t control the weather. But you can control your safety. Here’s what to do before the next freeze:
- Test your CO detectors every month. Press the test button. If it doesn’t beep, replace it. Most detectors last 5-7 years. If yours was installed before 2019, it’s likely expired.
- Install detectors on every level. Not just near bedrooms. Put one near the furnace, garage entrance, and kitchen. The National Fire Protection Association recommends placing them within 10 feet of each sleeping area.
- Get your furnace inspected by a licensed technician. Don’t trust the guy who fixes your AC in summer. Look for a NATE-certified HVAC pro. Ask them to check the heat exchanger, flue pipe, and venting system. A full inspection costs $100-$150 - less than one ER visit.
- Never use outdoor heaters indoors. Portable propane heaters, camp stoves, and charcoal grills produce deadly CO levels in minutes. Even in a garage with the door open, they’re dangerous.
- Clear snow and ice from vents. After heavy snow, check your furnace’s intake and exhaust vents. A blocked vent can cause CO to back up into your home. A simple brush or snow shovel can save lives.
What to Do If the Alarm Goes Off
If your CO detector goes off, don’t assume it’s a false alarm. Treat every alarm as real.
- Get everyone out of the house immediately - even if you feel fine.
- Call 911 from outside. Don’t use your phone inside.
- Do not re-enter until firefighters say it’s safe.
- Even if symptoms fade, get checked by a doctor. CO can cause brain damage hours after exposure.
One Chicago family in Cicero didn’t believe the alarm until their 8-year-old started vomiting. By the time they left, two adults had headaches and blurry vision. All three were treated for CO poisoning. The furnace had a cracked heat exchanger. It had been ignored for two years.
Who’s Most at Risk?
Everyone is vulnerable, but some groups are more at risk:
- Children and infants - their bodies process CO faster, and they breathe more rapidly.
- Older adults - symptoms like confusion or dizziness are often mistaken for dementia or fatigue.
- People with heart or lung disease - even low levels of CO can trigger chest pain or breathing trouble.
- People who sleep heavily - they won’t wake up from early symptoms like drowsiness or nausea.
If you live with anyone in these groups, make CO safety a priority. Don’t wait for an alarm. Don’t assume your landlord will fix it. Take action.
Free Resources in Chicago
You don’t have to pay for safety. Chicago offers help:
- The Chicago Department of Public Health provides free CO detectors to low-income households. Apply at chicago.gov/health/co.
- ComEd offers free home energy audits that include CO safety checks. Schedule one at comed.com/audit.
- Chicago Fire Department runs free detector installation events in high-risk neighborhoods. Check their calendar at chicago.gov/fire.
These programs are underused. In 2025, less than 15% of eligible households applied for free detectors. That’s 20,000 homes at risk because people didn’t know help was available.
What’s Not Working
Many people think: “I’ve lived here 20 years. Nothing’s ever happened.” But that’s how tragedies start. CO doesn’t strike randomly. It builds slowly. A cracked heat exchanger doesn’t explode. It leaks. A blocked chimney doesn’t burst. It backs up. And by the time you feel sick, the damage is already done.
Another myth: “I have a smoke detector - that’s enough.” Smoke detectors don’t sense CO. They’re designed for flames and soot. You need a dedicated CO detector. If your combo unit is older than 5 years, replace it. Most combo units lose sensitivity after 5-7 years.
And don’t rely on symptoms. Headaches, nausea, fatigue - these are also signs of the flu, stress, or dehydration. That’s why CO kills quietly. It mimics everyday problems.
Final Reminder
Carbon monoxide doesn’t care if you’re rich, poor, young, or old. It doesn’t care if you’re a homeowner or renter. It only cares if your heating system is broken and your detector is dead. This winter, don’t wait for a tragedy to act. Test your detectors. Get your furnace checked. Know the signs. Use the free resources. Your life - and the lives of everyone in your home - depends on what you do next.
Do I need a carbon monoxide detector if I have electric heat?
Yes, if you have any fuel-burning appliances in your home - even if your main heat is electric. That includes gas stoves, gas water heaters, fireplaces, or an attached garage where cars are parked. CO can enter from those sources. The safest choice is to have detectors on every level.
How often should I replace my CO detector?
Most carbon monoxide detectors last between 5 and 7 years. Check the manufacture date on the back - it’s usually printed in a small font. If you can’t find it, replace it. Older models may not sound an alarm even if they’re failing. Newer detectors have end-of-life alerts that beep every 30 seconds when they need replacing.
Can I use a battery-powered CO detector if I don’t have wiring?
Absolutely. Battery-powered detectors are just as effective as hardwired ones - as long as you change the batteries every 6 months. Many people forget this. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day you change your smoke detector batteries. That way, you won’t miss it.
What’s the difference between a CO alarm and a smart detector?
A standard CO alarm sounds when CO levels reach dangerous thresholds. A smart detector adds phone alerts, remote monitoring, and sometimes integration with home systems. But for basic safety, a simple, UL-listed detector works just as well. Smart features are helpful, but not necessary. Don’t delay installing a detector because you want the fanciest model.
Is it illegal to not have a CO detector in my Chicago apartment?
Yes. Illinois law requires all residential buildings with fuel-burning appliances to have working CO detectors. Landlords must install them and ensure they’re functional at the start of each lease. If yours doesn’t have one, request it in writing. If they refuse, contact the Chicago Department of Buildings - they can issue a violation notice.