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MAINE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Urgent Carbon Monoxide Safety Message
February 26, 2010
A Message from the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC)
Mainers should be extremely careful when using a gas-powered generator or similar alternative heating or power sources. Improper operation or placement of such devices can lead to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Warning signs of CO poisoning are flu-like symptoms without fever (such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion). CO poisoning can also result in coma and death. CO is an odorless gas emitted when burning most fuels. Improper operation or placement of alternative heating or power sources can result in poisoning when CO gas builds-up in enclosed spaces.
A State study of the CO poisoning epidemic, in the aftermath of the January 1998 ice storm power outages, found that improper placement of a gasoline generator, such as in a basement or garage, could increase the risk of poisoning by 20 to 300-fold. Using a kerosene heater in a room without any doors to other rooms opened, or failing to crack a window, also put people at increased risk for CO poisoning.
To Avoid CO Poisoning During Power Outages:
If You Suspect CO Poisoning
If you or anyone in the home suspect you are being poisoned by carbon monoxide:
The following publications are from the MaineCDC:
(These publications are in Adobe .pdf format)
Last update: 07/20/10
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