Stormy Weather

Date: December 02, 2009

Stay safe, healthy in stormy weather
A stormy weather forecast signal a potential risk for power outages, which can pose health dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning and illness from spoiled foods. Prepare now and know what to do to stay safe, warm and healthy.

Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that can kill. Carbon monoxide comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood. Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable: 
 
Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents. 
Never use a generator indoors, in garages or carports. 
Never use a gas or charcoal grill, hibachi, or portable propane heater  to cook indoors or heat your home. 
Avoid combustion "space heaters" unless there is an exhaust vent.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue. If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor's home, and the Fire Department will tell you when it is safe to reenter the home.

If power goes out, keep your food safe
  
Keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about 1 day. 

If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Remember to keep your raw foods separate from your ready-to-eat foods.  Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Potentially hazardous foods, such as meat and fish, should be discarded if they warm up above 41º F. Frozen foods that remain frozen are not a risk. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed, but are still cold or have ice.

Have an emergency kit ready. See the link to the American Red Cross

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