Winter accidents spike before drivers leave the driveway

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Accidents in cold weather happen beyond the roadways. The Overland Park Fire Department said Monday it saw a spike in accidents long before people pull out of the driveway.

Monday morning, Overland Park firefighters demonstrated how quickly warming up a car or running a generator in the garage can get dangerous.
      
Firefighters said just 30 seconds after they turned on their generator in their garage at the fire department, carbon monoxide gas reached dangerous levels.
      
They said since CO gas is odorless and colorless all homes should have a CO detector. It is often the only way a family will know CO has seeped into the home.

Firefighters say within minutes, CO gas can do even more damage. It can leave a person with permanent brain damage or be deadly.

Lt. Scott Finazzo said, "Sometimes people will start their car just outside the garage think it's safe. If the wind is blowing right, it can blow right into the home and be just as dangerous if it were in the garage."

Firefighters said generators should also always be used well outside of the home.