This is a true story.
This past Shabbos morning (the third day of the “three day Yom Tov”), I was awakened by the sound of the carbon monoxide alarm announcing high levels of CO.
We immediately cleared everyone out of the house and summoned the fire department.
When they arrived, they informed me that the high concentration of carbon monoxide was due to leaving the stove and oven on over Yom Tov and Shabbos. The buildup of these dangerous fumes was not due to a faulty gas line or leaking appliances, but rather to the lack of adequate ventilation. The constant burning of the gas range and oven – even on a low flame – will, over time, emit unhealthy and even dangerous amounts of carbon monoxide.
I was told that the fire department was tending to many such calls over the last few days. The firemen implored me to please tell the rabbis and announce to the community that if people need to leave on the stove or oven over the holidays, they must ensure that the area is properly ventilated. Turning on an exhaust fan or even opening the kitchen window can help prevent a terrible calamity.
I would also like to stress the importance of a carbon monoxide detector. They are not expensive and often come together with the smoke alarm. I do not want to think what our Shabbos would have been like had we not had the alarm – especially since the gas rises upward and the levels upstairs where everyone was sleeping were much higher.
Make sure to have properly functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Wishing everyone a wonderful Yom Tov filled with brocho v’hatzlocho.