7 Hospitalized After Carbon Monoxide Exposure

A family of seven was hospitalized Friday morning after St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue crews found them suffering from carbon monoxide exposure.

According to the agency, firefighters arrived at 2701 5th St. S. a little after 4 a.m., finding all seven people in the home showing signs of CO poisoning. Two adults and five children, ranging in age from 15 months to 12 years, all required medical attention. While the children and one of the adults showed improvement after oxygen was given on the scene, the adult male did not, an email from the agency to media stated.

Both adults were taken to Bayfront Health. The children were transported to All Children’s Hospital. As of late Friday morning, fire rescue reported that all seven had been released from the hospital and were doing well.

“The cause of the CO poisoning was from a generator that was running in the garage,” the email said. “The garage was closed and unventilated, allowing the deadly gas to build up inside the home.”

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that can prove fatal when found in high concentrations. The fire department reminds people of these safety tips to avoid exposure:

• Make sure appliances are installed to meet manufacturer specifications and local building codes
• Have heating systems, including chimneys and vents, inspected and serviced annually
• Install a CO detector/alarm
• Do not burn charcoal inside a home, vehicle, tent or garage
• Do not used portable, fuel-burning cooking equipment inside homes, garages, tents or vehicles
• Do not leave vehicles running inside an attached garage, even with the door open
• Do not use gas appliances for heating a home
• Do not use gas-powered tools or engines indoors

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