In Garfield, Minnesota, a couple was hospitalized for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning after a 911 call initially reporting heart attack symptoms. The incident occurred late Sunday night when a 47-year-old woman contacted emergency services, and her husband subsequently suffered a seizure. Dispatchers, suspecting CO exposure, instructed the couple to evacuate their home immediately. Emergency responders provided aid, and the couple was airlifted to a specialized medical facility for treatment after initial hospitalization. A technician later found dangerously high CO levels in their home, linked to a non-compliant water heater and recently activated furnace, highlighting the risks of malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances.
Carbon monoxide, known as the “silent killer,” is an odorless, colorless gas that can mimic flu-like symptoms such as dizziness, headache, and nausea, but lacks fever or body aches. The Minnesota Department of Health reports over 340 annual emergency room visits due to accidental CO poisoning. Authorities noted the absence of information on whether the couple had working CO detectors, which Minnesota law mandates within 10 feet of sleeping areas. State Fire Marshal Dan Krier emphasized the critical role of CO alarms in preventing such incidents, urging residents to ensure their homes are equipped with functional detectors to avoid the potentially deadly consequences of CO exposure.