After the recent carbon monoxide scares this week, emergency responders want to make sure your family is safe from the "silent killer."

"It's the silent killer. You can't see it, you can't smell it and you don't know it's there," said Keith Watts, Gastonia Fire Department.

According to the United State Consumer Product Safety Commission , "On average, about 170 people in the United States die every year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters."

The Safety Commission also points out that the initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning are similar to the flu.

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it has met the goal to hire 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in President Obama’s Aug. 31, 2012, Executive Order to Improve Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families.   

“Meeting this hiring milestone significantly enhances our ability to improve access to care for those Veterans seeking mental health services and demonstrates our continued commitment to the health and well-being of the men and women who have served the Nation,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “Meeting this goal is an important achievement, but we recognize that we must continue to increase access to the quality mental health care Veterans have earned and deserve.”

As of May 31, 2013, VA has hired a total of 1,607 mental health clinical providers to meet the goal of 1,600 new mental health professionals outlined in the Executive Order. Additionally, VA has hired 2,005 mental health clinical providers to fill existing vacancies.   VA has also hired 318 new peer specialists towards the specific goal of 800 peer specialists by Dec. 31, 2013 as outlined in the Executive Order.  VA expects to meet that goal as well.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is holding a Community Blood Drive this week.

Most of the 68 million people living with high blood pressure don't realize that they are eligible to donate blood.

The Police Department would like to remind those individuals that they may still give life-saving blood, even if they take blood pressure medication.

Donors can make their contribution at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, located at 601 E. Trade Street in Charlotte, Friday May 31, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

For more infromation on the Blood Drive, call 704-972-4700.