close print view Power Outage Safety: Prevent Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 3, 2012 LANSING - The
Michigan Department of Community Health is urging residents
across Michigan who were impacted by strong wind storms to take
proper safety precaution if the power is out. Residents should
be very careful when using gas-powered generators, kerosene
heaters or other alternative heating or power sources during
power outages. If not used safely, they can cause carbon
monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless,
and odorless gas formed when fuel is burned. The only way to
tell if it is present is with a carbon monoxide detector. Carbon
monoxide can build up to deadly levels within minutes in
enclosed spaces. Warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are
flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness,
drowsiness, and confusion, but not a fever. Carbon monoxide
poisoning can cause coma and death. To prevent carbon monoxide
poisoning when the power is out: - NE