Hurricane Irma blacked out millions of homes in Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina. Because of the irregular supply of electricity, many residents of the affected regions were forced to resort to the use of portable generators.
Unfortunately, in the confusion, not all heed the warning of the Governor of Florida Rick Scott, who on Saturday warned against the use of generators in enclosed spaces.
If you lose power, DO NOT use gas-powered generator indoors, not even in the garage.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 10, 2017
As a result, dozens of cases of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Many of the victims made the same fatal mistake — installed the generators in their garages. The first deaths were recorded on Tuesday in Orlando, where ugorela the whole family. Three of its members were killed and four more were hospitalized in serious condition.
Another 12 people were injured on Tuesday in similar circumstances in the districts, Brevard and Polk. Fortunately, they all survived.
The next disturbing call was received from Bonita springs, where carbon monoxide poisoning was hospitalized 20 people, and on Wednesday four of the victims reported the fire Department Daytona beach.
1 dead, 3 being treated @ hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator inside house in #DaytonaBeach. Pls keep generators outside.
— DaytonaBeachFireDept (@DaytonaBeachFD) September 13, 2017
The Agency warned residents of Florida from using portable generators in residential areas.
To prevent further cases of poisoning, experts from Accuweather have issued advice on the safe operation of the equipment:
- make sure the generator is installed at minimum distance of 9 m from the house and outbuildings
- use the appliance only on a dry site
- to avoid fire hazards, keep the fuel tanks for the generator far away from him
- do not connect generator directly into a household outlet — it may cause a short circuit.
