Tulsa Fire Shares Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips As Crews Respond To Multiple Calls After Storms

The Tulsa Fire Department is sharing Carbon Monoxide safety tips after firefighters responded to multiple calls this week.

TFD said on social media that HazMat crews were called to about 20 Carbon Monoxide calls on Monday due to people using generators too close to their homes.

Here's some safety tips regarding Carbon Monoxide via the Tulsa Fire Department:

Carbon monoxide, referred to as the “Silent Killer”, is a poison gas that you cannot see or smell. Death can occur within minutes of inhalation if the levels emitted are high enough.

Generator exhaust emits carbon monoxide.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include, but are not limited to, headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and disorientation.

If you are experiencing any of these while operating a generator seek fresh air and medical attention immediately. Do NOT go to sleep.

NEVER operate your generator indoors (including in your garage or basements), even if you have windows and/or doors open for ventilation.

Do NOT place your generator too close to windows, doors and/or vents while it is outside. Carbon monoxide could still enter your home if your generator is too close to these types of openings. Federal agencies such as CPSC and CDC recommend placing your generator a minimum of twenty (20) ft. away from homes, windows, doors and vents.

Do NOT rely on the use of fans for adequate or additional ventilation in order to run the generator indoors.