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Washington, D.C. / Baltimore, MD – Winter officially begins today as the DMV marks the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. While the solstice represents a seasonal turning point and the slow return of daylight, safety officials across Maryland and Washington, D.C. say it also marks one of the most dangerous times of year inside homes, when carbon monoxide risks quietly increase.
The longest night of the year often coincides with colder temperatures and extended hours of darkness, conditions that push heating systems into heavy use. Furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, space heaters, and backup generators are relied on more frequently as residents try to stay warm. With windows closed and homes sealed tightly against the cold, ventilation is reduced, creating conditions where carbon monoxide can build up indoors…