Kids, adults hospitalized after carbon monoxide poisoning from generator in Broward home
Four kids and five adults were hospitalized Thursday morning after firefighters found a running generator inside a Broward County home, causing high levels of carbon monoxide, which can lead to death.
Hazmat teams, paramedics and police rushed to the house at 4955 SW Fifth Court in Margate at around 2:30 a.m. after getting a call about an unresponsive person, Capt. Matthew Whiteshield of the Margate Fire Department told the Miami Herald in an email. Upon arrival, crews found a gas generator being used inside the home.
“I am unsure of the reason the generator was in use,” Whiteshield said.
The nine people were taken to the hospital with possible carbon monoxide poisoning, Whiteshield said. All are in stable condition, he added.
A light blue house was surrounded by yellow tape as authorities took people to the hospital and investigated the hazmat incident, CBS News Miami footage showed.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can kill you, according to Poison Control.
When it builds up in the air, the body replaces oxygen in the red blood cells with carbon monoxide, leading to serious tissue damage and possible death, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“It is often referred to as the “silent killer” because you can’t see it, smell it or taste it, Poison Control says on its website. “When you breathe in CO, it prevents your blood cells from carrying oxygen.”
Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning
It may be difficult to know when you are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning because symptoms can be very similar to the flu, Poison Control says.
Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause:
▪ headaches
▪ nausea
▪ redness of the skin
▪ dizziness
▪ confusion
▪ loss of consciousness
How to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning
The majority of people who are killed by carbon monoxide poisoning die in their sleep, but there are several things you can do to prevent it:
▪ Always run gas-powered generators in open spaces outdoors, never in the home or near it.
▪ Install a carbon monoxide detector.
▪ Have your heating system inspected.
▪ Check all alternative heating sources such as space heaters.
▪ Never use the gas range or oven for heating.
▪ Never burn coal or use charcoal in a closed space.
If you suspect someone is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning, get them to fresh air immediately and then call 911.
