Remain Alert To Carbon Monoxide Dangers During Michael
Residents advised not to use generators, grills indoors
Tallahassee -- As communities across the Big Bend region prepare for Hurricane Michael, the Florida Department of Health in Leon County urges residents to take precautions against carbon monoxide (CO) exposure.
CO is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas and is highly poisonous. Depending on the level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion, lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of consciousness and, in severe cases, death.
DOH-Leon recommends the following precautions to help prevent CO poisoning:
- Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace.
- NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home.
- ALWAYS locate the unit outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors. Follow the instructions that come with your generator.
- Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup in your home, according to the manufacturer's installation instructions. The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms.
- Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.
- Remember that you cannot see or smell CO and portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly.
- If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY...DO NOT DELAY.
- If you have a poisoning emergency, call your nearest Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 9-1-1 immediately.
For more information, please contact DOH-Leon at (305) 924-6839 or check out the Hurricane Information Fact Sheets posted at www.floridahealth.gov .
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