October 09, 2020 Louisiana Department of Health urges safe use of generators following Hurricane Delta

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Using a generator safely is a matter of life and death following a storm that causes widespread power outages. In the first week after Hurricane Laura struck southwest Louisiana, almost half of the storm-related deaths (9 out of 20) were due to carbon monoxide poison produced by a gasoline-powered portable generator.

When Hurricane Delta makes landfall in Louisiana, many homes will lose power and many people may turn to individual, gas-powered generators. A generator can be a vital resource during a power outage, but as we saw following Hurricane Laura last month, improper and unsafe use of generators can be deadly. 

The Louisiana Department of Health urges residents to read their generators' instruction manuals and to follow these safety tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
Take the following precautions to prevent electrocution:
Be careful with your fuel:
Always practice proper care and safety when using a generator. If you have questions about the operation of your generator, consult your owner’s manual or call the manufacturer.

If you think you or someone else has been exposed to carbon monoxide, move the person into fresh air and call your doctor or healthcare provider. If someone has been electrocuted, call 911 for emergency care instructions.

Surgeon General Ralph L. Abraham, M.D.

Interim Secretary Drew Maranto

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