“When the mom woke up the daughter had passed away.”
A woman is urging drivers to think twice before sitting in idling vehicles this winter, sharing a story about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ms. Andrist (@patricenotpatricia) posted a 34-second video warning just ahead of record-breaking winter weather, warning viewers that even parking in an open space doesn’t guarantee safety when warming up your car.
The video has garnered just over 814,000 views since it was posted, and information about the dangers has surprised viewers who didn’t know that the danger existed outside enclosed garages. Andrist did not mince words, as people know how badly things can go wrong.
“I keep seeing people say if it’s freezing just go to your car and warm up. I know people are saying don’t do it in a garage, but also make sure you crack the windows every like 10 to 15 minutes,” she says in the video. “Because even if you know you’re in an open space you can still pass away.”
Andrist cites an incident she says proves her point, without providing specifics.
“Not too long ago a mom and her daughter like took a nap in their car and when the mom woke up the daughter had passed away even though they were not in their garage, they were in the parking lot,” she explains. “Like in a completely open space you can still pass from carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Her advice is simple but on point: “If you’re warming up in your car, roll the windows down every couple minutes just so you know you get some air circulating.”
Carbon monoxide is often called the “silent killer” because it’s colorless and odorless, making it impossible to detect without specialized equipment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 400 Americans die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning each year, not linked to fires, and more than 100,000 visit emergency departments.
While most people understand the danger of running a car in a closed garage, fewer know that carbon monoxide poisoning can occur even in open areas. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s winter driving safety guidelines expressly warn motorists to “make sure your exhaust pipe is clear of any snow and run your car only sporadically—just long enough to stay warm.”
Snow and ice blocking an exhaust pipe are a common cause of carbon monoxide buildup in vehicles parked outside. When the exhaust cannot escape, the gas can seep back into the cabin. The Texas AAA warns that “a blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment.” The CDC recommends that you have a mechanic inspect your exhaust system annually.
The danger of blocked tailpipes was underlined in 2016 when a New Jersey mother and her two children died in a running car while the children’s father cleared snow.
The comment section quickly filled up with worried viewers. Rainy earned over 11,300 likes after posting, “Carbon monoxide is my biggest fearrrr ever.”
Many commenters highlighted the factors that increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. User 21Timmayyy explained: “It happens when snow is high enough to block the exhaust pipe. Just shovel the snow around your car and check the exhaust pipe.”
Not everyone was at first convinced the warning applied to them. User Val commented, “I don’t think this is true, could be but I work security and I sit in a car for 8 hours every single day literally. I have no days off and I rarely have the windows down unless I’m hot.”
After other commenters explained the role of snow blocking exhaust pipes, Val responded, “Ohhh okayy, I didn’t know this incident had snow involved. Thank you!”
User doveinity confessed to a common but risky practice. “Not me seeing this after sleeping in my car on lunch break every work day for the past 4 years.”
Some commenters offered sound safety advice. User symone emphasized: “MAKE SURE YOUR EXHAUST PIPES AREN’T COVERED IN SNOW AND OR ICE TOOO!”
Another suggested a technological fix: “Just use a carbon monoxide alarm.” Portable CO detectors can alert occupants to dangerous gas levels before symptoms become severe.
User r.intervals posted, “Damn we can’t do [expletive]. I be in my car for 1+ hours with my heat on.” The comment earned nearly 8,800 likes, suggesting that a lot of viewers are also thoughtless idlers.
Andrist’s timely seasonal warning reminds us that carbon monoxide poisoning can occur in situations that many drivers consider safe. The risk is highest in enclosed spaces like garages, but blocked or leaky exhausts and long idling can be dangerous even in open parking lots.
The CDC recommends never running a vehicle in an enclosed space, having the exhaust system inspected regularly, and ensuring the tailpipe is clear of obstructions before starting the car. If it’s necessary to warm up your car in cold weather, cracking a window periodically provides extra protection.
Motor1 reached out to Andrist via TikTok direct message. We’ll be sure to update this if she responds.
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