Florissant Firefighters Issue Warning in Response to Local Couple's Death

A Florissant couple found dead inside their home are believed to be the victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. A Fox 2 report said that the couple had two separate thermostats for heat and air conditioning, and both were turned on. This dangerous combination ultimately resulted in the couple’s death, firefighters believe.

The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (HHS) calls carbon monoxide poisoning an “important public health problem in the United states.” According to statistics published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 500 Americans die each year due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning that weren’t fire-related.

In Missouri, 448 carbon monoxide-related deaths were reported between 2001 and 2010, and of those, 176 were accidental and 85 were labeled “unknown” on their death certificates, HHS reports.

Taking precautions: Advice from Florissant firefighters

The (FVFPD) released a statement shortly after the deaths were reported urging local families to educate themselves and take precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.

“Carbon Monoxide is called the silent killer because it is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas,” read the statement, going on to explain that it’s produced by a number of common sources, including the following.

• Gas boilers used for radiant floor heating
• Gas furnaces and water heaters
• Fireplaces
• Gas emergency generators
• Vehicles
• Gas stoves and dryers
• Gas or charcoal grills

The recent variations in weather means that some residents may have their heat and air conditioner or attic fan running at the same time, FVFPD explained, but the combination can be deadly.

“That combination of both the furnace or boiler and the air handler for the air conditioning running at the same time may cause carbon monoxide that would normally be exhausted through the flue pipe to the outside being drawn back into the house and building up causing you to have flu-like symptoms,” FVFPD said. “You may feel dizzy, have headaches, become sick, have chest pains, be confused and have impaired judgment.”

The department advises that if you feel sick or have any of these symptoms, you should get out of the house and call 911.

“Let the paramedics and firefighter investigate to see if you have a carbon monoxide problem,” read the statement.

“If you have a thermostat for the heating system and another thermostat for the cooling system consider having a combined thermostat so that both systems will not run at the same time.”

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

After a mother and her children were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning in St. Louis in February, First Alert donated 150 carbon monoxide detectors for their families, according to a press release from the City of St. Louis.

While those free detectors aren’t available in Florissant, it’s still important to purchase and install one in your home, FVFPD said, because you are most at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning when you’re sleeping—the fumes can become fatal before anyone notices an issue.

You can get carbon monoxide detectors at a number of Florissant retailers. has 23 different detectors with prices starting at less than $20, for example.

“It can be installed anywhere, but the Fire District recommends installing it on the wall or ceiling near the bedrooms so if the alarm sounds at night and you are sleeping you will hear the alarm,” the department said.