If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately. If you have a poisoning emergency, call your nearest Florida Poison Information Center at 80. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately. Test your CO alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.
The CO alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for CO alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).
#SOUTH FLORIDA GENERATOR FUME INSTALL#
Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Follow the instructions that come with your generator.
#SOUTH FLORIDA GENERATOR FUME WINDOWS#
Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO build-up in the home.ĪLWAYS locate the unit outdoors on a dry surface, away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow CO to come indoors. NEVER use a generator indoors, including in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, and other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation. That includes proper generator placement even when it’s outside the home or office.”ĭOH-Volusia recommends these precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:ĭo not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace. “Follow the directions that come with the generator,” Rehme said. Carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, and fumes can accumulate quickly. The alarm may have saved their lives and is a critical piece of safety equipment, Rehme said. The oldest was 77.Ĭarbon monoxide detectors alerted one family during the night. Replacement generator parts for emergency standby generator set. The youngest person affected was a one year old. We are the 1 generators Miami source for all power systems, including diesel generators, LPG generator sets, natural gas generators, and custom generator manufacturers and suppliers. In all of these cases, the carbon monoxide poisoning was unintentional and due to use of generators during power outages caused by Hurricane Matthew. One person was killed by improper generator use. Nine carbon monoxide poisonings were confirmed. The Hurricane Matthew-related exposures occurred between October 7 and October 10. If it’s outside but too close to an opening – such as near an AC unit, vents, doors and windows, the generator’s toxic gas can cause illness or death.” “However using a generator outside can be just as dangerous. “Generators should never be used inside an enclosed space,” said Patricia Boswell, DOH-Volusia administrator. The majority of those cases were the result of generators placed outside the home. All were related to incorrect use of generators. In 2016, the department investigated 13 suspected cases of storm-related carbon monoxide poisonings. The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Volusia County reminds residents to use generators safely. Similar to Hurricane Matthew, Hurricane Irma is expected to cause widespread power outages.