1/6/14 - With a Wind Chill Warning in effect through early Wednesday, local officials are urging residents to make sure they heat and power their homes safely. One of the leading causes of death in the December power outages was carbon monoxide poisoning from generators left running inside garages. Brighton Fire Chief Mike O'Brian tells WHMI that generators need to be kept outside the home and garage while in use, as well as away from awnings or overhangs that could prevent adequate ventilation of exhaust. Carbon monoxide can be generated indoors by anything that generates heat. Wood fireplaces and heaters should be kept clean and inspected if necessary. Space heaters should be maintained and replaced if they get too old, preferably with models that automatically switch off if they get knocked over. O'Brian says there should also be at least three feet of open space around a space heater. Stoves should never be used to heat homes. O'Brian reminds residents that carbon monoxide detectors can be purchased and set up like smoke detectors to alert homeowners to the buildup of the odorless, deadly gas. (TD)
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