Carbon Monoxide and Winter Storm Safety

A 21-year-old Salve Regina University student in Rhode Island was found dead in his snow-covered car during a blizzard and investigators ruled his death an accidental carbon monoxide poisoning after determining the vehicle’s exhaust pipe was blocked by snow. He had told a fellow student he was idling the car to charge his phone during a power outage, and public‑health experts warn winter storms increase CO risk when vents and exhausts are obstructed, noting similar past deaths from snowbound vehicles and covered furnace vents.