The Todd Family: When Carbon Monoxide Kills

A Black family of eight recently died from CO poisoning.

The 411 on Carbon Monoxide - The Todds, a family of eight from Baltimore, died this week when a generator in their home leaked the deadly gas. Their electricity had been turned off and the generator was helping light the home. Tragedies like these happen too often in the U.S. Learn more about carbon monoxide and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. —Kellee Terrell(Photo: AP Photo/Juliet Linderman)

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The 411 on Carbon Monoxide - The Todds, a family of eight from Baltimore, died this week when a generator in their home leaked the deadly gas. Their electricity had been turned off and the generator was helping light the home. Tragedies like these happen too often in the U.S. Learn more about carbon monoxide and what you can do to protect yourself and your family. —Kellee Terrell(Photo: AP Photo/Juliet Linderman)

What Is Carbon Monoxide? - Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, odorless, colorless, non-irritating and tasteless gas. CO exposure deaths are the most common form of poisoning in the U.S. (Photo: BanksPhotos/Getty Images)

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What Is Carbon Monoxide? - Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly, odorless, colorless, non-irritating and tasteless gas. CO exposure deaths are the most common form of poisoning in the U.S. (Photo: BanksPhotos/Getty Images)

Why Is It so Dangerous? - The CO gas sticks to the hemoglobin in your blood and sucks all of the oxygen out of it, making it difficult for your blood to transport any oxygen to the rest of your body, making you suffocate.  (Photo: Micro Discovery/Corbis)

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Why Is It so Dangerous? - The CO gas sticks to the hemoglobin in your blood and sucks all of the oxygen out of it, making it difficult for your blood to transport any oxygen to the rest of your body, making you suffocate.  (Photo: Micro Discovery/Corbis)

Where Does It Come From? - CO can be found in outdoor and indoor air. It’s produced by burning fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, coal and gasoline. When it’s outside, it’s normally from car exhaust. When it’s found inside, it can be due to appliances in the house and heaters that give off the gas. (Photo: Creativ Studio Heinemann/Westend61/Corbis)

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Where Does It Come From? - CO can be found in outdoor and indoor air. It’s produced by burning fuels such as wood, oil, natural gas, propane, kerosene, coal and gasoline. When it’s outside, it’s normally from car exhaust. When it’s found inside, it can be due to appliances in the house and heaters that give off the gas. (Photo: Creativ Studio Heinemann/Westend61/Corbis)

Which Appliances Should I Be Concerned About? - Home furnace and heaters can present a huge problem for families with CO. When it comes to generators, the CDC advises to never use them in the home, even with the windows open. They should only be used 20-plus feet away from the home. (Photo: Michael Interisano/Design Pics/Design Pics/Corbis)

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Which Appliances Should I Be Concerned About? - Home furnace and heaters can present a huge problem for families with CO. When it comes to generators, the CDC advises to never use them in the home, even with the windows open. They should only be used 20-plus feet away from the home. (Photo: Michael Interisano/Design Pics/Design Pics/Corbis)

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How Common Is CO Poisoning? - According to the CDC, each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning. More than 20,000 visit the ER and more than 4,000 are hospitalized because of it.(Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

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How Common Is CO Poisoning? - According to the CDC, each year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning. More than 20,000 visit the ER and more than 4,000 are hospitalized because of it.(Photo: ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Corbis)

What Are the Signs of Poisoning? - Most common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. In many people, CO symptoms are flu-like. (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

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What Are the Signs of Poisoning? - Most common symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. In many people, CO symptoms are flu-like. (Photo: Image Source/Corbis)

Who Is at Risk for CO Poisoning? - Everyone. But infants, seniors and those who have chronic health conditions may get sicker from it than healthy adults. (Photo: JLP/Jose L. Pelaez/Corbis)

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Who Is at Risk for CO Poisoning? - Everyone. But infants, seniors and those who have chronic health conditions may get sicker from it than healthy adults. (Photo: JLP/Jose L. Pelaez/Corbis)

The Good News: CO Deaths Are Preventable - CO poisoning is preventable. Make sure you have a battery-operated CO detector in your house or apartment. Don’t mistake a fire detector for a CO detector! Also, make sure to have your heating system, water heater and other gas, oil or coal-burning appliances checked each year.  (Photo: E R DEGGINGER/Getty Images)

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The Good News: CO Deaths Are Preventable - CO poisoning is preventable. Make sure you have a battery-operated CO detector in your house or apartment. Don’t mistake a fire detector for a CO detector! Also, make sure to have your heating system, water heater and other gas, oil or coal-burning appliances checked each year.  (Photo: E R DEGGINGER/Getty Images)