Be Safe In Your Travel Trailer Or Mobile Home!
Release Date: February 8, 2006
Release Number: 1604-238
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina
BILOXI , Miss. -- Travel trailers and mobile homes are equipped with features that closely duplicate those found in permanent housing so occupants can heat, cool and prepare meals as they would in normal circumstances. But some Hurricane Katrina victims are unfamiliar with equipment that makes these functions possible, exposing themselves to possible injury, poisoning or even death.
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) urge occupants of travel trailers and mobile homes to avoid using internal combustion engines or grills indoors and to take precautions using propane-fueled devices.
Improper use of equipment can cause explosions or poisonous carbon monoxide buildup. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that causes dizziness, headaches, even death.
"Travel trailers and mobile homes are safe if occupants know how to use the appliances placed in them," said MEMA Director Robert Latham. "It's also important to know what not to use in these temporary homes."
During the winter months, people use space heaters indoors or use open ovens to heat up a room, leading to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup.
The following precautions are recommended to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Always make sure the carbon monoxide detector is working correctly.
- Never burn anything in a stove or fireplace that is not vented properly.
- Never use a gas grill or camp stove indoors.
- Never heat a home with a gas oven.
- Never run a generator indoors, in an enclosed space or near a window.
"Residents of these temporary homes need to practice safety first at all times," said Nick Russo, federal coordinating officer for the Mississippi disaster recovery.
Both agencies also remind residents in travel trailers and mobile homes to use propane appliances correctly.
- Know where the shutoff valve is located in the trailer or mobile home and how to shut it off.
- Always have a trailer or mobile home properly ventilated.
- Keep flammable and combustible materials away from open flames.
- Keep all children and pets away from heaters to avoid burns.
- Don't assume the smell of propane indicates the tank is low. Monitor propane tank fuel gauges.
- Never place your head near or directly over the valves on the propane storage tank.
- Make sure the smoke alarm is working; replace batteries twice a year
- Make sure the heater fume vents on the outside of the trailer are not blocked or covered.
- Know where the fire extinguisher is in the unit and learn how to use it.
"Residents of travel trailers and mobile homes should leave immediately and contact emergency officials if they feel their health and safety is in danger," said Latham.
For more information about FEMA visit www.fema.gov and for MEMA visit www.msema.org .
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 08-Feb-2006 13:24:36