FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 26, 2005
CONTACT: Doc Kokol (850) 245-4111
**HURRICANE KATRINA INFORMATION SHEET **
Health Officials Warn of Carbon Monoxide Dangers
--Precautions after Hurricane Katrina can help prevent
poisoning--
Tallahassee – In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,
the Florida Department of Health urges the public to
avoid carbon monoxide (CO) exposure by taking
precautions with gas-powered appliances and charcoal or
gas grills.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, and
tasteless gas, and is highly poisonous. Depending on the
level of exposure, CO may cause fatigue, weakness, chest
pains for those with heart disease, shortness of breath
upon exertion, nausea, vomiting, headaches, confusion,
lack of coordination, impaired vision, loss of
consciousness, and in severe cases, death.
DOH recommends the following precautions to help
prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:
- Do not burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house,
garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace.
- Do not use gas-powered generators or pressure
washers indoors, not even in the garage.
- If you suspect you are experiencing any symptoms of
CO poisoning, open doors and windows, turn off gas
appliances and go outside. In cases of severe CO
poisoning, call 911 emergency services or the nearest
Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222.
- For more information about indoor air quality,
contact the Florida Department of Health's Indoor Air
Toxics Hotline at 800-543-8279 or visit the Department
of Health website at
www.doh.state.fl.us.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
recently announced the availability of 30- and 15-second
public service announcements in English and Spanish. The
CDC is encouraging radio stations to download the public
service announcements free from
http://www.cdc.gov/co/checklist.htm. Other broadcast
and print media can also use the information to alert
viewers and readers.
For further information, please contact your local
county health department, or visit
www.doh.state.fl.us
or
www.FloridaDisaster.org.
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2012 State of Florida