A vehicle occupant safety method involves receiving data from multiple sensors including at least one carbon monoxide (CO) sensor and GPS sensor; wherein, when a specified danger condition relating to CO level alone, or in combination with vehicle interior temperature, exists, and based upon the sensor data, causing the vehicle component controls to modify operation of at least one vehicle component; d) determining i) based upon further sensor data, that the specified danger condition either: A) is persisting, or B) has exceeded at least one specified severity threshold; and ii) using GPS location information from the GPS sensor, whether or not the vehicle is in an unsafe location, whether the vehicle is occupied, and where any occupants are located; continuing to make determinations regarding the specified danger condition; and, based upon a result of the determinations in taking further control actions until the specified danger condition no longer exists.