Federal health officials are warning people living in coastal Florida to beware of the deadly effects of carbon monoxide, or CO, poisoning after Hurricane Milton struck the state. According to officials, high winds and torrential rains are causing power disruptions, forcing people to use gas generators. Experts at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission say the CO emitted by those gas generators could have potentially fatal effects

“More than 400 people die from CO poisoning each year in the United States, according to estimates by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” the CPSC said in a statement, days after Milton made landfall in Florida. “About 92 of those deaths are linked to portable generators,” the agency said.

How to use a gas generator safely during a storm?

To avoid those deaths, officials said Floridians in the storm’s path should follow some gas generator safety tips if they lose power:

• Don’t run a generator inside your home during a storm – and this includes garages, porches and basements because CO is an odorless gas that can accumulate quietly and does not diffuse easily.
• Make sure the generator is used at least 20 feet away from the home and direct its exhaust away from the home or any buildings where a person could enter.
• Follow your generator’s operating instructions regarding rainy and windy weather so that you do not risk any kind of electrical shock in inclement weather.
• Always buy models with a CO safety shut-off feature – which automatically turns off when high levels of the gas are detected.
• According to experts, you should make sure to run your generators with working batteries at all times, but especially before big storms.
• A smoke and CO alarm must be installed on each level of the dwelling and in each bedroom. If your alarm sounds, call 911 immediately for help.

How do electrical equipment become dangerous in wet weather?

Experts say that if you see that a plugged-in electrical appliance has become wet, do not touch it as it may cause electric shock.

If gas or electrical appliances are underwater, always have them checked by a professional before using them.

What is CO poisoning?

According to doctors, carbon monoxide poisoning is a life-threatening disease that occurs after breathing in fumes containing the gas. Doctors say that when high levels of CO enters your body, it becomes fatal within minutes and causes severe headache and breathlessness. At high concentrations of carbon monoxide, it usually takes less than five minutes for carbon monoxide poisoning to occur.

The Cleveland Clinic says more than 400 people die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning each year in the United States. An additional 100,000 people are sent to emergency rooms annually due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Signs and symptoms

Some early warning signs and symptoms of CO poisoning include:

• Headache
• nausea and vomiting
• breathlessness
• chest pain
• dizziness and weakness
• fainting and loss of consciousness
• loss of muscle coordination
• mental confusion
• upset stomach

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