Winter weather increases chances of carbon monoxide poisoning

As colder weather blankets the country, many are finding their blankets are not enough to keep warm. Many are suffering from power outages caused by adverse weather conditions and turning to alternative power sources for heat, such as portable generators and fuel-burning stoves or heaters. Here are some facts to consider when you decide to fire up your generator or stove:

• The most recent estimates show about 190 unintentional non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products under the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) jurisdiction, in 2008.

• Sixty percent, or 114, of those deaths occurred during the colder months of November, December, January and February as people turned on furnaces, used generators during power outages or used fuel-burning space heaters more often than in other months.

• Generators have been associated with the most non-fire CO poisoning deaths for the years 2005 to 2008, with portable generators associated with 86 deaths in 2008.

• Seven more deaths were associated with the use of at least one other CO-producing product. There were an estimated eight deaths in 2008 related to charcoal.

Find more information about generator safety and CO poisoning prevention at CPSC’s OnSaftey Blog. The CPSC also offers free materials to help communities stay warm but avoid becoming a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning: Distribute one-sided and two-sided door hangers and a poster in the neighborhoods.

Tweet these links or post them on Facebook: Generator safety info - http://1.usa.gov/9Aw7tl and CO Safety info center - http://1.usa.gov/hZjdDi.

Help spread the word in the community and visit the Neighbor Safety Network for more information at http://www.cpsc.gov/nsn/nsn.html.