CO Poisoning Kills Methuen Man: Police

METHUEN, MA — A man using a power generator died from carbon monoxide poisoning Friday night, officials said.

Mayor James Jajuga and Chief Joseph Solomon said Methuen Police responded to a CO incident on Pelham Street at 8:49 a.m. Friday morning. A 62-year-old woman reported waking up feeling ill, and when she checked on her 55-year-old husband in the other room, he was unresponsive.

The two were transported to the hospital. The man was pronounced dead later in the evening. His wife is expected to make a full recovery.

Police said it appears an improperly ventilated generator caused high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. The Merrimack Valley suffered the most power outages of any region following this week's storm, and as of Friday night Methuen had more than 5,000 still in the dark.

"Please use these safety tips to keep you and your families safe from carbon monoxide poisoning," Solomon said. "Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer, so it is extremely important to take as many preventative steps as possible to protect yourself."

Here are some tips from the Center of Disease Control to avoid CO poisoning:

• Have your heating system, water heater and any other gas or coal-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year
• Do not use portable flameless chemical heaters indoors
• Never use a generator inside your home, basement or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door or vent; fatal levels of carbon monoxide can be produced in just minutes
• Have your chimney checked and cleaned every year, and make sure your fireplace damper is open before lighting a fire and well after the fire is extinguished
• Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly
• Never use your oven for heating your home
• Never let a car idle in the garage