03/03/2015
With more ice and than snow on top of it I figured I'd send this out I should have done it earlier in the winter but now is better than never.
For our Philly residents or senior members of Philly squadrons. I see this atleast 6 times a night at work and always make sure to shut the oven off and close the door.
Deadly Dangers of Using the Stove for Heat
last updated on February 18, 2011 – 11:13 AMone comment
During the winter season, MTO’s hotline receives numerous calls from tenants about a lack of heat in their units. When we ask what steps the resident uses to address the problem in the meantime, a frightening number report that they are using their gas stoves as a solution. Some residents leave the burners on, some continuously boil large pots of water, and others leave the oven door open. All of these actions can and do lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
What prompted the writing of this post was a recent conversation with a tenant. The tenant was following up to report the lack of heat in her unit. She explained that not only was this problem irritating, but that her entire family has experienced constant headaches and she was even having trouble waking up, which was not normally a problem for her. She mentioned that her sister had called her earlier and she hadn’t heard the phone ring. Her kids – especially her daughter who slept in the back bedroom near the kitchen— was having a lot of difficulty waking up for school. All of these incidences are major symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide can slowly put you to sleep and once asleep, you are unable to escape the hazard. Hundreds of people die in a carbon monoxide induced sleep every year according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Those that don’t die from heating their homes with gas stoves still experience less than lethal, but still harmful, side effects. “At low concentrations, [CO can cause] fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in people with heart disease. At higher concentrations, [CO can cause] impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. Fatal at very high concentrations.” (USEPA)
So what should one do when it just gets too cold? Electric space heaters with safety mechanisms to prevent fires and other hazards are good options for small spaces. Tenants should also call 311, request a heat inspection, and get a reference number for their phone call. Generally, during the winter season, it may take up to three days for a heat inspector to conduct an investigation in your home. For more safety options when heat or other essential services are not working properly, click here.
Basic Generator use:
Never Use a Portable Generator Indoors
This includes inside a garage, carport, basement, crawlspace, or other enclosed or partially-enclosed area, even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. The CO from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death, but CO can't be seen or smelled. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY - DO NOT DELAY.
Because you may have windows open to get fresh air while the power is out, be sure to place the generator away from windows, doors, and vents that could allow CO to come indoors. To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use in rain or wet conditions. To protect the generator from moisture, operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
It is a good idea to install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer's installation instructions. If 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 when needed.
Be sure to turn the generator off and let it cool down before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
Store fuel for the generator in an approved safety can. Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the label on the generator. Local laws may restrict the amount of fuel you may store, or the storage location. Ask your local fire department for additional information about local regulations. Store the fuel outside of living areas in a locked shed or other protected area. Do not store it near a fuel-burning appliance, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage. If the fuel is spilled or the container is not sealed properly, invisible vapors from the fuel can travel along the ground and can be ignited by the appliance's pilot light or by arcs from electric switches in the appliance.
Plug appliances directly into the generator. Or, use a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cord that is rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin.
Never try to power the house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet, a practice known as “backfeeding.” This is an extremely dangerous practice that presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household protection devices.
More info on CO:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09939.html
Hundreds of Americans die every year from carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide in the home can come from many sources. If you experience CO poisoning symptoms, get fresh air immediately and go to an emergency room. Prevention is the key to protecting you and your family. Make sure your CO alar…
