University Hospitals issued a public safety notice Thursday evening warning residents dealing with power outages not to use generators indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to the hospital system, several children are currently being treated for carbon monoxide poisoning at UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital.
"Indoor generators emit carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that can be lethal," UH said. "Generators should never be used indoors."
At Rural King in Elyria, store officials told News 5 they just received a big shipment of generators to make sure people stay cool while their power is out.
Additionally, each generator has everything you need to know, including letting you know not to store them inside the house.
“You think ‘oh, it’s ventilated enough,’ no it’s not. In this kind of heat, the fumes will take you quicker than anything,” said Rural King customer Judy Svagerko.
The weather outside isn’t quite frightful anymore, but it sure isn’t delightful for people like Svagerko, who told News 5 she’s been without power since Tuesday.
“I have heart trouble, asthma and COPD and I cannot breathe,” said Svagerko.
Judy said she drove all the way from North Olmsted to this Rural King in Elyria in hopes of finding a solution to her problem.
“I knew I had to come out here. My neighbor looked it up because my phone is dead,” said Svagerko.
Thanks to a team approach, Judy said she got what she needed and is headed home to enjoy her new generator's benefits while also making sure she’s using it with caution.
“I know a little bit about them, but I would definitely never put it where it could get wet, or it would be harmful to somebody,” said Svagerko.
The reason is simple.
“Carbon monoxide is a silent gas, and it will kill you,” said Keith Davis at Maple Heights Hardware and Supply Incorporated. “For 6500 watts, it will basically be for refrigerators, lights, fans.’
Davis said you can even plug a microwave into your generator.
But he and Dr. Matthew Marx at UH Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital advise against using your generator to plug in an air conditioner, washer and dryer unit or running it inside your home or garage.
“If you buy a generator, use it outdoors. If you’re using gas or diesel, it’s definitely only supposed to be used in well-ventilated areas,” said Marx.
In the last 24 hours, Marx told News 5 they’ve had multiple children admitted for carbon monoxide poisoning, which he said can start to slow and lead to headaches, fatigue and loss of consciousness; so, he’s urging people to follow these warnings.
“A lot of people aren’t used to using generators and they might not know you’re only supposed to use them outside to avoid lethal risk of carbon monoxide,” said Marx.
