Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Can Kill In Minutes—

Governor Warns About Dangers Of Portable Generators

HARTFORD — Governor M. Jodi Rell this week joined with the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and the state’s electric utilities in warning residents about the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning associated with the use of portable gasoline-powered generators.

“After an unexpected early October snowstorm knocked out power to over 350,000 homes in Upstate New York, three deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by power generators operating inside homes,” Governor Rell said. “It is so important that we spread the word about how dangerous these generators can be and the proper ways to use them.”

Exhaust from portable generators contains carbon monoxide. This is why a generator should never be used indoors or in enclosed spaces such as garages, basements, or porches. Always run the generator outdoors as far from the house as possible, away from doors, windows, and air intake vents.

“Proper placement of the generators is critical,” said DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin, MD, MPH. “A generator located in any enclosed space can kill you.”

In addition, a licensed electrician should properly wire and connect home-use generators. A town permit or official inspection may also be needed for the generator.

Before using a portable generator, a home’s electric wiring must be disconnect from the power grid. Otherwise, power from the generator can go out over the utility lines, endangering the lives of workers making repairs.

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) have developed a new CO warning label for portable generators. CO is an invisible, odorless gas that can be fatal. The symptoms of CO poisoning mimic those of the flu, including headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

If several members of a household experience these symptoms when they are home, but feel better when they are away from the home, there may be a CO problem.

Every home in which a portable generator is operating, or that burns oil, natural gas, wood or coal, should have a carbon monoxide detector that is in good, working order. If the alarm goes off, get out of the house immediately. Call 911 or the town fire department from a cell phone or neighbor’s house.

DPH offers safety tips to prevent CO poisoning when using gasoline generators and other gasoline-powered equipment.

Safety Tips to Prevent CO Poisoning

éNever use portable generators, pressure washer engines, or other gasoline powered equipment (including tools) inside your home, garage, carport, basement or other enclosed spaces.

éPlace gasoline-powered equipment outside and away from doors, windows, or air-intake vents.

éInstall a CO detector on each floor of your residence near sleeping areas. A UL certified plug-in detector with battery-backup and a digital readout is recommended. Change the battery at least twice a year.

éUse grilling apparatus such as charcoal or gas grills outdoors only.

ééOpening windows and doors, and operating fans is not sufficient to prevent buildup or CO in a home.

éGet out of the house and seek medical help immediately if you or a family member has symptoms of CO poisoning. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

éCall 911 from a cell phone or neighbors home and the Connecticut Poison Control Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center (800-222-1222).

For more information on carbon monoxide poisoning and prevention call the DPH Environmental & Occupational Health Assessment Program at 860-509-7742, or visit  www.dph.state.ct.us

For more information on carbon monoxide detectors, visit the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc’s website, www.ul.com