Carbon Monoxide is colorless and odorless so you won't know if you're at risk unless you have a detector in your

home.

Fire Fighters: Carbon Monoxide Detectors Critical

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BOISE- It's called the silent killer, and we've learned that carbon monoxide poisoning is the likely cause of death for an elderly couple in Nampa this past week.

Firefighters say having a carbon monoxide detector could save your life. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, so you won't know if you're at risk unless you have a detector in your home.

This year alone in Ada County, firefighters have responded to more than 260 carbon monoxide poisoning-related calls. Forty-one of the calls were with potential victims.

Captain Joe Bongiorno, with the Meridian Police Department, says it only costs around $25 to protect yourself and your family.

"If you have a home that has a heater that runs off of natural gas or propane, or a water heater, then you should have a CO detector in your home," said Capt. Bongirono. "The detector will detect if there's a problem with your water heater or with your furnace."

Capt. Bongiorno says the best place to put a detector is in the kitchen at counter level, or in a hallway where air is flowing. He adds that if the detector ever goes off call 911 right away.

If you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning the symptoms are similar to the flu.