What could have become a potential tragedy in Boro Park was averted last Thursday, prompting urgent reminders from community activists and officials to be vigilant with safety – particularly as it pertains to carbon monoxide.
Boro Park Chaveirim was called by a family for assistance in relation to a ringing carbon monoxide alarm – not knowing that it was a legitimately serious case, rather than simply a faulty alarm.
Chaveirim members arrived with carbon monoxide sensors, and immediately noticed a reading above 250, a level which could kill people within a matter of minutes.
Members determined that the source of the carbon monoxide was in the basement, where the family had been performing work with a generator in an unventilated space, resulting in a massive buildup of the invisible gas.
Boro Park Chaveirim is now reminding residents to ensure their carbon monoxide detectors are in proper working order, and to never use carbon monoxide-emitting machinery or appliances in areas that do not have proper ventilation.
(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)
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7 Responses
Editor, fix the typo on the title! finda, it should say find a
Generator in an enclosed space. Ouch.
Friends, please, please read the manual of any appliance you own. Especially the part that sayS “WARNING”.
The warning would have said never use a generator indoors.
Carbon Monoxide has no odor. If the alarm is beeping get out of the house.
A generator running in an unventilated basement…. oh the stupidity.
“… and to never use carbon monoxide-emitting machinery or appliances in areas that do not have proper ventilation.”
not good enough! most people don’t have a clue what “carbon monoxide emitting machinery” is.
first, be clear that it is ANY form of combustion, from a gasoline-fired motor to a gas stove. if it uses gasoline, kerosine, natural gas, propane, or firewood, fumes need to vented OUTSIDE.
second, carbon monoxide is colourless and odourless. you cannot tell that it’s present without equipment, like an alarm or a meter. so if in doubt, get EVERYBODY out first, and call for help.
third, it is deadly, because it attaches to hemoglobin in the blood and blocks the ability to transport oxygen. deprived of oxygen, the body suffocates.
What’s a good make/model of one of these handheld detectors?
I just my CO2 detector at home and I’d like to be able to get a 2nd tester.
Also important?
If your carbon monoxide alarm is ringing CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Chaveirim is for tires, locks, etc.
This is out of their league. We need to do a better job communicating to people that emergencies actually happen, and that in real emergencies you need the big guns.
As in : NYPD over Shomrim, FDNY over Chaveirim, etc