KIRKSVILLE, MO -- If your home or business uses propane to generate heat or run appliances, the Iowa Department of Public Safety has a warning for you.

To ensure propane safety as temperatures continue to drop, Iowa officials are urging you to keep carbon monoxide detectors active in your home.

They say keeping those devices active will help prevent the potential threat of getting carbon monoxide poisoning.

Tim Peters, Vice President of Peters Heating and Air Conditioning says if you smell gas or suspect you have a leak call your gas company immediately, and leave the area.

Peters recommend even if your gas appliances are off, make sure they're running efficiently.

"We get calls where carbon monoxide detectors go off when no gas appliances are running, it's from a car in the driveway and gas getting into the home. So have a carbon monoxide detector. Make sure that you have your equipment serviced and make sure it running clean and efficiently that way," said Peters.

Peters tells KTVO space heaters and propane heaters have a self-contained tank or kerosene heater that can be used indoors, but they bring with them the potential of carbon monoxide.

Space heaters should only be used on an emergency basis.

"It would be better if you had a plan during a power outage to go to a friend's house or family member's house until power is restored," Peters said. "If you do use those space heaters on an emergency basis make sure you have carbon monoxide detectors in the home and when you go to sleep, shut them off."

Again, always take immediate action! If you smell gas inside or outside your home or business, report the leak and leave the area to help keep you and your family safe.