Rachel Mullet Kile - Shannon Grimm & Partners

12/25/2025

12/20/2025

Carbon monoxide poisoning often feels like the flu — but it’s NOT the flu. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is more common in the winter.

Colder months mean homes are sealed tight and fuel-burning appliances are used more often. When furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, or portable heaters aren’t working or venting properly, carbon monoxide can build up indoors—silently and quickly.

Why winter increases risk
• Heaters, boilers, and fireplaces run longer
• Windows and doors stay closed, reducing ventilation
• Snow or debris can block vents and flues
• Portable generators or space heaters may be used improperly

How to reduce your risk
• Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home and near bedrooms
• Have heating systems, chimneys, and flues professionally inspected annually
• Never run cars, generators, or grills in garages or near windows
• Use space heaters only as directed and keep them clear of flammable items
• Don’t use ovens or gas stoves to heat your home

Know the symptoms

Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, fatigue—and sometimes no warning at all. Most CO alarms do not detect the gas until you are near passing out and by then it can be too late. If a CO alarm sounds, get fresh air immediately and call emergency services.

For safety guidance, follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local fire departments.

CO is invisible and odorless—but preventable. Winter safety starts at home.

Learn how to prevent poisoning with this gas that has no color, odor or taste.

12/20/2025

Here are practical actions to reduce potential lead exposure in the body, especially important for families, homeowners, and anyone renovating older homes:

🏠 Home & Environment
• Test older homes (built before 1978) for lead-based paint before renovating
• Use lead-safe renovation practices (containment, HEPA vacuums, wet sanding)
• Avoid dry sanding or scraping old paint
• Regularly wet-mop floors and wipe surfaces to reduce lead dust
• Wash hands frequently—especially before eating
• Remove shoes before entering the home to avoid tracking in contaminated soil

💧 Water Safety
• Test drinking water for lead, especially in older plumbing
• Use cold water for drinking and cooking (hot water can leach more lead)
• Consider a certified water filter that removes lead

🥗 Nutrition (Very Important)

A well-nourished body absorbs less lead:
• Calcium (dairy, leafy greens)
• Iron (lean meats, beans, spinach)
• Vitamin C (citrus, bell peppers)
• Zinc (nuts, seeds, whole grains)
Eat regular meals—empty stomachs absorb more lead

👶 Children & Personal Items
• Keep children from chewing on painted surfaces
• Wash toys, bottles, and pacifiers often
• Avoid imported pottery, cosmetics, spices, or remedies unless verified lead-free

🧪 Medical & Awareness
• Ask a healthcare provider about lead testing if exposure is possible
• Pay attention to symptoms like fatigue, headaches, irritability, or digestive issues
• Follow guidance from trusted sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency

Lead exposure is preventable—but only if we stay informed and proactive.

This webpage will replace the Protect Your Children webpage at https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-children.

12/20/2025

Lead poisoning is not a thing of the past. It still affects adults and children today, especially during home renovations. Older homes may contain lead-based paint, and when it’s disturbed—through sanding, scraping, or demolition—toxic lead dust can be released into the air and home.
Read this article for symptoms.

Children are especially vulnerable, but adults can also experience serious health effects.
If you’re renovating, testing, proper containment, and lead-safe practices aren’t optional—they’re essential.

Renovate smart. Protect your health.

Lead poisoning, or lead toxicity, is a condition that occurs when your child is around high levels of lead. Learn about symptoms and treatment.

12/05/2025