Statewide Iowa — Carbon monoxide poisoning is usually associated with winter, a faulty furnace or using a kerosene space heater indoors, but it can also be a summertime risk while boating.
Susan Stocker, education coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says boaters need to be aware of the situations that can put themselves and their passengers at risk of illness or even death.
Being exposed to the exhaust could cause a person to lose consciousness and drown. Stocker says the same applies to a tailwind, which may blow the exhaust fumes toward passengers.
Stocker says she’s unaware of any boaters in Iowa succumbing to carbon monoxide poisoning in recent history, but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.
Stocker suggests all boaters install and maintain a marine carbon monoxide detector, put children in the forward-most seating on the boat, and maintain fresh air circulation at all times.
