40 Percent Of Middletown's 911 Storm Calls Due To Carbon Monoxide

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — It's hardly just a problem unique to Middletown. With so many New Jersey residents using generators right now, calls to the state's Poison Control Center about carbon monoxide poisoning have spiked in the wake of Tuesday's storm, according to Diane Calello, center director.

The NJ Poison Control Center is based at Rutgers Medical School.

The Middletown Fire Dept. responded to 93 calls related to Tropical Storm Isaias Tuesday, and 37 of those (40 percent) were about carbon monoxide detectors going off, said the fire department.

And the use of generators will not be going away, as hurricane season has only just begun, followed by winter weather. That means a lot of chances for the power to go out — especially in Monmouth County.

Portable generators are responsible for more than 900 people dying of carbon monoxide poisoning between 2005 and 2017, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

From the Middletown Fire Dept., here are some tips on how to safely use your portable generator:

• Never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors.
• That includes the basement or garage, spaces that can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Always place the generator at least 20 feet from the house with the engine exhaust directed away from windows and doors.
• Contrary to popular myth, keeping the garage door open does not provide enough ventilation to keep the fumes outside.
• Purchase a (CO) detector. Since your power will be going on and off, get one with a plug and battery back-up. That way, if you shut off the generator, the battery backup will automatically keep the device going.
• The Middletown Fire Dept. is not trying to run your life. We’re begging you to be responsible and not put yourself or your family at risk!
• One last safety tip: The traffic cones are placed to protect you from a potentially dangerous situation. You going around them could put you in a situation in which your all volunteer firefighters might have to risk their lives to save you. Please understand the cones are there to protect YOU!

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