Keep Carbon Monoxide Out

A MINUTE OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Keep Carbon Monoxide Out
Carbon Monoxide Exposures After Hurricane Ike — Texas, September 2008
Recorded: August 11, 2009; posted: August 13, 2009

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Hurricanes or other severe storms can be deadly events, but the danger doesn’t always pass with the storm. After Hurricane Ike struck Texas in 2008, carbon monoxide exposure caused 13 deaths and caused at least 34 people to seek medical treatment. About 75 percent of exposures were caused by improper use of gasoline-powered generators, which were used by people to supply energy when electrical power was knocked out. Any gasoline-powered machine requires ventilation to remove carbon monoxide. They should always be used outdoors, away from windows, doors, or vents, so the build-up of exhaust can’t cause severe illness or even death.

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