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Maryland Department of Emergency Management

AVOID CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING DURING POWER OUTAGE

Use Caution When Using Alternative Power Sources and Cooking Fuels

Reisterstown, MD – (August 26, 2011) – Hurricane Irene will almost certainly cause wide-spread power outages across the state, and many Marylanders will turn to generators and alternative cooking fuels in the immediate aftermath.  The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urges homeowners to understand the potentially catastrophic risks of using these alternatives and to ensure they know how to properly use them to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can cause illness or death. It is produced by the incomplete burning of solid, liquid, and gaseous fuels. Appliances fueled with natural gas, liquefied petroleum (LP gas), oil, kerosene, coal, or wood may produce CO. Burning charcoal produces CO. Idling cars produce CO.

Adhering to the following guidelines can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

  • NEVER operate a generator inside a building and follow all other safety instructions for the use of generators, including keeping them a safe distance from doors and windows.
  • Never burn charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
  • Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a home, garage, vehicle, or tent.
  • Never leave a car running in an attached garage, even with the garage door open.
  • Never use gas appliances such as ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers for heating your home.
  • Never operate un-vented fuel-burning appliances in any room with closed doors or windows or in any room where people are sleeping.
  • Do not use gasoline-powered tools and engines indoors. If use is unavoidable, ensure that adequate ventilation is available and whenever possible, direct engine exhaust to the outdoors.
  • Make sure appliances are installed and used according to manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes. Most appliances should be installed by professionals.
  • Never service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skills, and tools. Always refer to the owner’s manual when performing minor adjustments or servicing fuel-burning appliances.
  • Install a CO detector/alarm that meets the requirements of the current UL standard 2034 or the requirements of the IAS 6-96 standard. A carbon monoxide detector/alarm can provide added protection, but is no substitute for proper use and upkeep of appliances that can produce CO.

What are the symptoms of CO poisoning?

  • The initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu (but without the fever). They include: headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness.
  • Many people with CO poisoning mistake their symptoms for the flu or are misdiagnosed by physicians, which sometimes results in tragic deaths.

What should you do if you are experiencing symptoms of CO poisoning?

If you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms of CO poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Open windows and doors for more ventilation, turn off any combustion appliances, and leave the house. Call your fire department or emergency medical service and report your symptoms. You could lose consciousness and CO poisoning can be fatal. It is also important to contact a doctor immediately for a proper diagnosis. Tell your doctor that you suspect CO poisoning is causing your problems. Prompt medical attention is important if you are experiencing any symptoms of CO poisoning when you are operating fuel-burning appliances. Before turning your fuel-burning appliances back on, make sure a qualified serviceperson checks them for malfunction.

Every year, more than 200 people in the United States die from CO produced by fuel-burning appliances (furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters). Others die from CO produced while burning charcoal inside a home, garage, vehicle or tent. Still others die from CO produced by cars left running in attached garages. Several thousand people go to hospital emergency rooms for treatment for CO poisoning.

For more information, see:  Consumer Product Safety Commission, Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers, CPSC Document #466,http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/466.html