2 dead from generator-caused carbon monoxide poisoning in Fort Myers. How to protect yourself
A running generator inside a Pine Manor home led local firefighters to the discovery of five victims suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in the deaths of two men.
Three adults and two children were suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning and were not conscious when officials arrived. The woman and two children were outside the home.
"Firefighters made entry and brought out two male adults found to be in cardiac arrest," Amy Bollen, spokesperson for the South Trail Fire District, said. She added that first responders performed lifesaving measures on the two men, but weren't successful.
According to officials, the family brought their generator inside to use after the home lost power during Sunday’s storms.
An average of nearly 100 consumers die in the U.S. each year from CO poisoning from portable generators, according to CPSC’s latest report on Non-Fire Carbon Monoxide Deaths Associated with the Use of Consumer Products.
Two men die from CO poisoning: 2 men dead after carbon monoxide poisoning in Fort Myers; woman, 2 children taken to hospitals
What is carbon monoxide poisoning?
Per John Hopkins University, Carbon Monoxide poisoning occurs when you inhale carbon monoxide fumes which prevent the body from using oxygen properly.
What are the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are:
headache
dizziness
weakness
nausea
vomiting
chest pain
confusion
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who are sleeping or who have been drinking alcohol can die from CO poisoning before ever recognizing they are experiencing symptoms.
How can I tell if there's carbon monoxide in the air?
Carbon monoxide gas is colorless and does not smell, so you cannot tell if it is around you. However, there are potential ways to spot a carbon monoxide leak within your home, such as:
Yellow or orange flames coming out of your gas appliances instead of the usual blue flame
Dark and sooty staining on or around gas appliances
Pilot lights that frequently blow out
Increased condensation on windows
Solid fuel fires burn much slower than usual
How immediate is carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide poisoning can become deadly within a matter of minutes, at high levels it can kill a person in five minutes.
CO poisoning can happen so quickly that exposed persons may become unconscious before recognizing the symptoms of nausea, dizziness, or weakness.
What are the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning?
Common sources of CO in one's home include fuel-burning appliances and devices, such as:
Clothes dryers
Water heaters
Furnaces or boilers
Fireplaces, both gas, and wood burning
Gas stoves and ovens
Motor vehicles
Grills, generators, power tools, lawn equipment
Wood stoves
Tobacco smoke
How can I prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in my home?
Never run a generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine inside a basement, garage, or other enclosed structure, even if the doors or windows are open.
Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
Never run a motor vehicle, generator, pressure washer, or any gasoline-powered engine less than 20 feet from an open window, door, or vent where exhaust can vent into an enclosed area.
Keep vents and flues free of debris. Debris can block ventilation lines.
Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi, lantern, or portable camping stove inside a home, tent, or camper.
Check or change the batteries in your CO detector every six months. If you don’t have a battery-powered or battery-backup CO detector, buy one soon.
Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.
If you suspect CO poisoning, call 911 or a health care professional right away.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Generator fumes kill, injure Fort Myers family members: Safety tips
