Children Being Treated for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning From Indoor Generator Use Following Storms
Source: https://www.news5cleveland.com/
University Hospitals issued a safety warning advising residents not to use generators indoors during power outages due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Several children are currently being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.
University Hospitals warned that indoor generators produce carbon monoxide, a lethal odorless gas, and should never be used inside. At Rural King in Elyria, new shipments of generators have arrived to help residents during power outages, with each unit including clear instructions not to store them indoors. Customer Judy Svagerko highlighted that even if a space seems ventilated, the fumes from indoor generators can be extremely dangerous.
Judy Svagerko, who has been without power since Tuesday and suffers from heart trouble, asthma, and COPD, visited Rural King in Elyria to find a generator. Despite her phone being dead, she managed to get the help she needed and is now heading home with a new generator. Svagerko is aware of the importance of using the generator safely and is careful to avoid placing it where it could cause harm.
Keith Davis from Maple Heights Hardware warns that carbon monoxide is a deadly, odorless gas produced by generators, emphasizing that they should only be used outdoors. While generators can power appliances like refrigerators and microwaves, Dr. Matthew Marx from UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital advises against using them for air conditioners or heavy appliances, and stresses that generators should never be used indoors or in garages. Recent cases of children admitted for carbon monoxide poisoning highlight the importance of proper generator use to avoid serious health risks.
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