CPSC Issues Warning to Hurricane Victims to Prevent CO Poisonings, Electrocutions, Explosions and Fires
NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 23, 1999
Release # 99-161
CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Ken Giles, (301) 504-7052
CPSC Issues Warning to Hurricane Victims to Prevent CO Poisonings, Electrocutions, Explosions and Fires
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
is warning hurricane victims that gasoline-powered generators should not
be used indoors, because of the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Also, all gas control valves, electric circuit breakers, ground fault
circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and fuses that have been under water must
be replaced to avoid electrocutions, explosions and fires.
CPSC Chairman Ann Brown said, "If people use gasoline-powered
generators indoors, they could die from CO poisoning. Opening doors and
windows or operating fans does not guarantee safety."
CO poisoning from the use of fuel-burning appliances kills more
than 200 people each year and sends about 10,000 to hospital emergency
rooms for treatment.
CO is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning any fuel. The
initial symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to the flu, and include
dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea and irregular breathing. Exposure
to high levels of CO can cause death.
"CPSC recommends that consumers use gasoline-powered generators
outdoors and away from air intakes to prevent CO poisoning," Brown said.
"And every home should have at least one CO alarm that meets the
requirements of the most recent Underwriters Laboratories standard 2034
or the requirements of the IAS 6-96 standard."
Replacing Flood-Damaged Gas Control Valves, Electric Circuit Breakers,
GFCIs and Fuses
Even if these safety devices appear to function after being
submerged in a flood, they are unfit for continued use and cannot be
repaired. They may eventually fail, causing electrocutions, explosions
or fires. Other parts of gas and electric appliances that have been
submerged such as fans, motors, electric circuits, and venting systems
should be evaluated by a qualified technician for continued safe
operation. Entire appliances may need to be replaced.
Gas control valves on furnaces, water heaters, and other gas
appliances that have been under water must be replaced. Silt and
corrosion from flood water can damage internal components of control
valves and prevent proper operation. Gas can leak and result in an
explosion or fire. Gas control valves that have been under water cannot
be salvaged; they must be replaced.
Electric circuit breakers, GFCIs, and fuses that have been
submerged must also be replaced because water and silt inside the
devices prevent them from performing properly as safety devices. Flood
water and silt trapped inside circuit breakers or switches can cause
electrical shorting or mechanical malfunctions. The only safe action is
to discard and replace circuit breakers, GFCIs, and fuses that have been
under water.
CPSC also recommends that consumers replace smoke detectors and CO
alarms that have been submerged.