The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirms the storm-related death of a Lafayette parish man who died after slipping on ice and hitting his head on the ground. The coroner has confirmed this death as a storm. It is the first death related to the winter storm of February 2021.
The coroner identified the victim as Carol Matthews, of Carencro.
Louisiana experiences extreme winter weather that can lead to widespread power outages. Because of these outages, many people will turn to individual gas generators to power their homes.
However, it is important that anyone who chooses to use a generator does so safely. Using a generator safely is a matter of death or dying and many people are killed or hospitalized due to inappropriate and unsafe use of generators, according to LDH.
The Louisiana Department of Health urges residents to read all instructions that come with their generator and to follow these safety tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Portable generators should never be used indoors. This includes use inside a garage, parking lot, basement, crawl, or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even those with ventilation.
- Gas-powered generators produce a carbon monoxide (CO) leak, which is odorless and colorless. Inhalation of CO can quickly lead to complete incapacitation or death. Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent CO buildup. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, switch to fresh air IMMEDIATELY. Be sure to place the generator away from doors, windows, and respirators that may allow CO to enter inside.
- Use a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, battery-powered, or plug-in with battery backup. If the CO gas from the generator enters your home and poses a health risk, the alarm will sound to warn you. Test the battery frequently and replace it when necessary.
- Do not use gas or electric ovens for heating. A gas oven can be shut down or burned inefficiently, causing carbon monoxide poisoning, and electric ovens are not designed to heat spaces.
- Take the following precautions to avoid electric shock:
- Keep the generator dry and do not use it in rainy or humid conditions.
- Protect the generator from moisture by operating it on a dry surface under a canopy-like open structure, such as a tarp supported on poles. Always make sure your hands are dry before touching a generator.
- Turn off the generator and let it cool before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Generator fuel must be stored in an approved safety can.
- Connect the appliances directly to the generator or use a sturdy external extension cord. The extension cord must be rated (in watts or amplifiers) at least equal to the sum of the charges on the connected device. Check that the entire cable has no cuts or tears and that the cord has all three ends and, above all, a ground pin.
- Never attempt to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into an electrical outlet. It is extremely dangerous and presents a risk of electrocution for workers and neighbors who use the same transformer. It also ignores some of the built-in home protection devices.
Be careful with fuel:
- Use the type of fuel recommended in the generator instructions or label. Local laws may restrict the amount of fuel you can store or the storage location.
- Fuel should be stored outside of living areas in an enclosed shed or other protected area, away from combustion appliances, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.
- If fuel is spilled or the container is not properly sealed, invisible fuel vapors may travel on the ground or may be ignited by the appliance pilot light or by the arcs of the appliance’s electrical switches.
Always take proper care and safety when using a generator. If you have any questions about the operation of your generator, consult the owner’s manual or call the manufacturer.
If you think you or someone else has been exposed to carbon monoxide, move the person to fresh air and call your doctor. If someone has been electrocuted, call 911 for emergency care instructions.
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