Post by Medic on Apr 6, 2007 9:29:59 GMT -5
POWER OUTAGES HEIGHTEN DANGER OF
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Safety Tips for Alternative Power Use Can Help Prevent Tragedy
Aurora, Ill. - When electricity is lost, many consumers turn to various sources of alternative power and heat as a temporary solution. From gas-powered generators to gas grills to wood and charcoal, households look for ways to continue their daily lives during a loss of power. Unfortunately, the incorrect use of many of these products can result in tragic consequences.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning is a threat whenever gas-powered products are being used or fossil fuels burned," said Mark Colello, senior vice president and general manager, BRK Brands, Inc., manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products. "But power outages during major storms present a heightened risk because people tend to forget basic safety rules when they're rushing to restore power, especially if they are dealing with other aspects of the storm’s aftermath."
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless and tasteless by-product of the incomplete combustion of gas, oil, wood, coal, and other fuels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CO poisoning claims more than 500 lives and sends another 15,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment each year in the United States. In fact, more people die each year through unintentional CO exposure than from any other single poison, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The following safety tips will help families avoid CO and other dangers associated with power outages:
Never run a generator indoors or in a poorly ventilated area such as a garage or porch, and use the appropriate-size power cords to carry the electric load.
Install a minimum of one battery-operated CO alarm (or AC-powered alarm with battery backup) outside each sleeping area, and for maximum protection install at least one CO alarm on each level of the home.
Ensure that CO alarms have working batteries installed.
Never burn charcoal or other outdoor cooking appliances indoors or in the garage.
Inspect and clean any soot and debris, such as bird nests and paper, out of the chimneys, flues and stacks.
Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect without the help of CO alarms. Outward physical symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least one UL-listed CO alarm with an audible warning signal near sleeping areas. UL-listed, battery-operated CO alarms are available in most major retail and home-improvement stores.
For nearly 40 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders. Such products are also manufactured and marketed under the BRK Electronics® brand for the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. BRK Brands, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, Ill. For more information, visit www.firstalert.com or www.brkelectronics.com.
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING
Safety Tips for Alternative Power Use Can Help Prevent Tragedy
Aurora, Ill. - When electricity is lost, many consumers turn to various sources of alternative power and heat as a temporary solution. From gas-powered generators to gas grills to wood and charcoal, households look for ways to continue their daily lives during a loss of power. Unfortunately, the incorrect use of many of these products can result in tragic consequences.
"Carbon monoxide poisoning is a threat whenever gas-powered products are being used or fossil fuels burned," said Mark Colello, senior vice president and general manager, BRK Brands, Inc., manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products. "But power outages during major storms present a heightened risk because people tend to forget basic safety rules when they're rushing to restore power, especially if they are dealing with other aspects of the storm’s aftermath."
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless and tasteless by-product of the incomplete combustion of gas, oil, wood, coal, and other fuels. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CO poisoning claims more than 500 lives and sends another 15,000 people to hospital emergency rooms for treatment each year in the United States. In fact, more people die each year through unintentional CO exposure than from any other single poison, reports the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The following safety tips will help families avoid CO and other dangers associated with power outages:
Never run a generator indoors or in a poorly ventilated area such as a garage or porch, and use the appropriate-size power cords to carry the electric load.
Install a minimum of one battery-operated CO alarm (or AC-powered alarm with battery backup) outside each sleeping area, and for maximum protection install at least one CO alarm on each level of the home.
Ensure that CO alarms have working batteries installed.
Never burn charcoal or other outdoor cooking appliances indoors or in the garage.
Inspect and clean any soot and debris, such as bird nests and paper, out of the chimneys, flues and stacks.
Carbon monoxide is difficult to detect without the help of CO alarms. Outward physical symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends installing at least one UL-listed CO alarm with an audible warning signal near sleeping areas. UL-listed, battery-operated CO alarms are available in most major retail and home-improvement stores.
For nearly 40 years, BRK Brands, Inc. has been the manufacturer of First Alert®-branded home-safety products including smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders. Such products are also manufactured and marketed under the BRK Electronics® brand for the builder and contractor audiences. BRK Brands, Inc. products are found in more than 30 countries worldwide. BRK Brands, Inc. is headquartered in Aurora, Ill. For more information, visit www.firstalert.com or www.brkelectronics.com.
