With thousands of people without electricity, many have turned to using generators to power up their homes to stay warm and keep some lights on.
Many residents turn to gasoline generators, gas or charcoal grills and camp stoves during extensive power outages.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources sent out a reminder on Tuesday, that these appliances may be harmful or even deadly when used improperly because of carbon monoxide.
"Never use generators and charcoal or gas grills inside your home, in basements, in garages, or other enclosed spaces due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning," said DHHR Office of Environmental Health Services Director Barb Taylor.
CO is an odorless, colorless, poisonous gas that can cause sudden illness and death if present in sufficient concentration in the ambient air. The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and altered mental status.
Get fresh air immediately and call 911 if you suspect that you or a family member has carbon monoxide poisoning.
More information about CO is available online at http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/co_guidance.asp.
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