Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of those dangers we don’t talk about enough until tragedy forces us to pay attention. This week, a family in Toledo, Ohio learned that lesson the hardest way possible. Adriana Coleman lost four young children and her mother-in-law while they sat in a vehicle waiting for roadside assistance. The carbon monoxide levels detected were five times the lethal limit—a silent, odorless killer that accumulated while the family waited for help with a flat tire. Investigators confirmed this was a completely preventable death.
For those of us living in Gulf Coast communities, where we spend so much time on the road and in our vehicles, understanding carbon monoxide risks should be top of mind. The gas forms when fuel burns incompletely, which happens in car engines, furnaces, and even grills. If you’re sitting in a parked vehicle with the engine running—whether waiting for roadside help, warming up your car on a cold morning, or letting it run in the garage—you’re creating conditions where CO can accumulate. The solution is simple: crack your windows or turn off the engine. For home safety, install CO detectors, especially near bedrooms and furnace areas, and have your heating system inspected annually.
Adriana’s story reminds us that protecting our families doesn’t require complicated safety systems. It requires awareness and action. Check your vehicles regularly, know the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning (headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea), and teach your family the basics of vehicle and home safety. If you or someone you know needs resources on carbon monoxide safety, the CDC and American Red Cross have comprehensive guides. What safety measures have you taken in your home and vehicle to protect your family?
