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Jonathan Sanger / NBC News
Heather Humphries fills a generator with gas in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012.
A Long Island, N.Y., woman died this week when a portable generator she began using after Superstorm Sandy knocked out the electricity in her neighborhood emitted fatal levels of carbon monoxide.
Michelle Bracco, 44, was discovered unconscious in her home around 10 p.m. Monday, police said. She was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, N.Y., where she was pronounced dead, NBCNewYork reported.
Police said a portable generator in the garage was being used to provide power to Bracco’s home.
Bracco’s death wasn't the first caused by Sandy’s silent killer since the storm passed.
Local news outlets have reported that carbon monoxide poisoning has sickened dozens of people in more than 10 Northeast states in Sandy’s wake. Now, as newly powerless residents throughout the storm-struck region crank up generators after a nor’easter brought record early snow and winter weather, the potential for more deaths is high, officials warn.
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“The stories that we’re hearing over the last couple of days are frightening,” New Jersey Poison Control Center Director Dr. Steven Marcus told NJ.com. “People are just not thinking, and I’m afraid that the longer there is no power, the worse this could be.”
The storm boasted wind gusts of more than 50 mph and dropped heavy snow on already-weakened tree limbs, leading to the new outages. When combined with the residual outages left by Sandy, officials estimate some 700,000 are without power across the Northeast, according to utility providers in the region.
Experts say carbon monoxide poisonings tend to spike when an area loses electricity because people often put power generators in partially opened or closed garages or bring charcoal grills indoors. Carbon monoxide can also seep through slightly open windows.
Police blamed carbon monoxide for the death of James Stapleford, 75, and Eva Stapleford, 73, of Shokan, N.Y., who were using a generator to power their home in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the New York Daily News reported. Police said the couple, who were discovered Monday, appeared to have been dead for two days.
Record snow, new power outages as storm slams Northeast
In Newark, N.J., Mudiwa Benson and Kenya Barber, both 19, died last week, police said, from prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide because a generator was too close to their apartment home, NJ.com reported.
In Pennsylvania, four people died of carbon monoxide poisoning last week from generator fumes in separate incidents, the AP reported.
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And in Edison Township, N.J., a 65-year-old man likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning after running his generator in his garage last Wednesday, police said.
When emergency medical services responded to his house, police said they found him "blue in color." The generator found in his closed garage had run out of gas, NJ.com reported.
Carbon monoxide is completely odorless and invisible. Symptoms of poisoning caused by the gas include nausea, headaches, dizziness and vomiting, which can escalate to unconsciousness and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC advises placing generators at least 20 feet away from homes, since there’s not enough ventilation within garages and basements or near open windows to prevent fatal poisoning. Battery-powered alarms are also necessary to warn residents before carbon monoxide reaches dangerous levels.
Marcus said people shouldn’t hesitate if they think they have a carbon monoxide problem.
"They need to get out of the house," he said. "Don’t open the windows. Just get out of the house. Don’t waste any time and get medical help."
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Perhaps new generators should be sold with a battery powered Carbon Monoxide detector as a matter fo course. Just like most power tools come with a pair of safety glasses. Folks who use generators a lot are probably not at as much risk as the homeowner firing up a generator for the first time. Age doesn't bring experience in this case.
I hate to suggest a new law for this, but it seems it would be good PR for the generator companies, or the DIY stores to just go ahead and do it as "best business practice."
The usual detectors that are intended to be wired in to the house electrical system and have a battery backup use screws to mount them. People using a generator for a storm power outage probably wouldn't bother mounting the detectors, so I suggest cheaper models that come with the peel off sticky pads ready to go. If you are paying 600.00 for a generator, would you really notice another 20.00 rolled in for such a detector?
@Jim - I live in the South, close to the coast, and am no stranger to hurricanes, tornadoes and all the other garbage that comes with living here as far as weather goes. Our power company, a co-operative, gives away carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms. I don't know about other power companies in the state, but it's something that costs them very little inasmuch as they buy them in bulk. Also, it comes straight off taxes for them.
I'm sure that Lowe's or any hardware store or Superstore selling a generator would be able to do the same. Of course, with no one buying them in the north that doesn't live in the snow belts, I wouldn't think that they would do very good in the big cities.
But think of the publicity. That alone would pay for the things. And it might sell more generators when they are't needed in an emergency situation.
Agreed. Bundle a portable CO detector with every generator sold. They are cheep.
I will never buy a house that doesn't have either a wood burning stove, furnace or fireplace. As for generators, I can't believe they ran them in an enclosed area.
Please forgive this rather long ramble-Actually it is recommended that every home have CO detectors. People can get fumes in their home from gas heaters or dryers, running cars in closed garages or other neighbors next door using equipment inappropriately. More than 400 People die each year, not counting from disasters such as what is happening right now in the East. Because it is a silent killer so people don't know the dangers until it is often too late. The backup batteries should be changed twice a year at Daylight Savings time, with a wired in permanent device on each floor, near sleeping quarters, gas sources especially and garage.
I spent over 35 years training and helping with city,county and state field scenarios, teaching emergency preparedness and working in an emergency professional service.I constantly heard so many people assume "everybody" knows about this stuff, duh! When in truth practically nobody does. I also heard folks say what to do in a crisis to survive. Then when folks are thrown off their regular schedules under stress, to actually do those things,the mind does strange tricks.
It was enlightening for so many people to learn for themselves exactly how they might respond. Just from large practice emergency scenarios they participated in. so they could to be more prepared to help victims when a real disaster struck. Studies and research indicate your chances of making a critical mistake during a sudden stressful major crisis is up to 60% if you are aged 20-35. Add 10 % for every 5 years.
That doesn't mean you will come to harm and die, only that your thinking processes will get thrown off track leaving you vulnerable. You might catch the oversight immediately and move on. It's the few who don't that will pay the price. Lots of folks think these are stupid people,because otherwise they would have caught their own mistake.But culture, education, background, age and the crisis itself, all play a factor. These people are terribly unfortunate that they didn't catch the fatal factors setting them up for a deadly situation.We might feel superior looking at things in 20/20 hindsight, but I know I have made my share of errors in judgment in life and know others have too. We just didn't die from them, at least yet.
What this article didn't mention is the need of people to check on their neighbors frequently. To ensure everyone is safe and doing okay. Especially older folks or those who can't get out due to medical or other reasons. That is where more deaths are likely to come from in the next few days. Not just from CO poisoning, but lack of food or heat too. Shut-ins that nobody can get around to visiting.Long before modern times, it was how people survived in the old days. By teaming up and being there for each other. Those who are more knowledgeable can help make sure the less are doing their best to stay safe. We don't need any government help to do that much for each other.
This is mainly happening in older homes where owner have not taken the precaution of installing a smoke detector, almost all of which also detect carbon monoxide these days. Any home built in the last 25 years should have a detector already installed as this was added to the building codes in most states around that time. What I find hard to believe is that anyone with a brain would not be aware of this danger an place the generator outside. After all, pretty much everyone knows not to run their car in a closed garage and it should not be a big leap to recognize that the same thing would apply to anything else running on gasoline. I guess that unfortunately some people do not think and tragedies like these happen. As for the idea of including a carbon monoxide detector with each generator sold, I would be against it. Why should people have to pay for something that they more than likely do not need. As I pointed out, any home built in the last 25 years probably already has a detector so why should there people be forced to pay for another one that they do not need or want. These generators already have plenty of warning plastered all over them telling people not to run them in enclosed spaces. Even if you included a detector, you would still get people who would not bother to install it. Having one built in as part of the generator would be pointless because it would not do anything for those people who follow directions and keep the generator outside. It comes down to the fact that you simply can not protect people from themselves all the time.
Darwin.
Anson, sadly, yes, you are correct
Many of them are well into or well beyond breeding age. I think you need to to stop trying to be snarky, because you are simply coming off as ignorant and heartless.
I live in an apartment building in New York and while watching Tv my carbon monoxide detector went off. I took the time to open windows in my apartment before leaving which I know now was the "wrong thing to do." As it turned out I needed new batteries which I had not thought about since the detector was installed by one of the workers in my building. I just immediately started to mini-panic!
My building now has the two in one detectors called "First Alert."(smoke alarm & carbon monoxide) I would advise apartment dwellers to have one installed. Next time I won't mini-panic or open any windows. I will just leave the apartment and have someone in maintenance come and check it out, better safe than sorry.
By the way, even after putting in "new batteries" the alarm went off "a second time." As it turned out the detector was not working properly. You never know, don't take any chances.
Why is it that stories like this come out after the election? I just heard on he radio that some people who STILL don't have power will not get it for at least a week because of the current storm. If Bush was president it would have been all over the news. How can news editors live with themselves knowing that they filter the news to aid their political agendas.
If was a photo opportunity! So far FEMA is missing in action and people are getting fed up and starting to form groups to support themselves. You no longer can depend on FEMA to come to the rescue after a disaster.
Because the media didn't want to make Obama look bad. I hope the American people open their eyes and see how the media works. This is a perfect example.
It was reported TODAY that Iran hit one of our drones LAST WEEK. Why so long to release the information?
My heart goes out to the people in NY & NJ. Today there were complaints that FEMA would show up and then leave. Thinking of the photo op when Obama said "we will never leave you". Yeah right.
Getting people gas and electricity is not a job for the government it is a job for businesses. The governments job in these situations is food, water, shelter, assisted evacuation and life saving. No one criticised Bush after Katrina because of gas or power outages, they criticised him because there was almost no federal government humanitarian response for almost a week and it cost lives. What's incredible is the right, the side of small government and personal responsibility suddenly feeling the Government should provide their every want and whimsy once they are affected by a storm or they feel they can smear Obama.
Bush and Cheney lied about WMD's, the 9/11 buildings fell at freefall, and you are worried about coverage for election time? There is some serious re-think that needs to go on here.
We are all ready to support Obama now. Get on board and heal the USA.
I do not know what media you all are watching/reading/listening to, but the news was plastered all over the place about the continuing power outages and increasing death toll from Sandy prior to the election.
And NOBODY could have restored all the services and repaired the damage any sooner. Sandy was an unprecedented event. And even with utility teams from other parts of the country assisting, it will still take some time to get everyone up and running.
If you just heard this then you obviously haven't been watching the news or paying attention.
There have been blurbs not wall to wall coverage as in the past. In 2005 Bush was ridiculed for not being on the ground (and getting in the way) Obama was praised for the photo op (and getting in the way).
Although I don't like President Obama I will support him till at least the mid term elections. My gripe is with the "media".
So it's Obama's fault that people failed to take in account the simple fact that gasoline engines give off dangerous fumes? Do people run their cars in their garage for days (hours really)with the door closed? No. Why? Carbon monoxide fumes. Remember oh about 25 years ago all of a sudden kerosene heaters were all the rage. Until people started dropping dead left and right from the CO fumes. What good was a heater that your had to run with a window opened fully. I disagree with all of you who say "they should or have to" bundle detectors with generators. You're a adult you should know about CO and can buy your own detector. I'm just surprised that some homes are not going up in flames from people storing huge amounts of gasoline in their homes. If your home has a central air conditioning system you should have a NG emergency generator a whole house run everything one is about $5K.
@AussieRob,
The President doesn't have the power to provide federal government help without the approval of the Governor. I know this doesn't sound right but this is the way the US government works.
The Governor of Louisiana did not ask for FEMA help immediately. The chain of command is the Mayor, the Governor and then the President. The Mayor of New Orleans was horrible. He was not prepared at all. The Governor of Louisiana was just as bad. They were fighting amongst themselves.
The Governors of NY and NJ have been great. They were on top of things at the very beginning. The President really doesn't have to do anything but just give the okay when help is needed.
By the time Bush got the okay he immediately sent FEMA but the decisions made on the local and state levels made things so much worst.
Now reports are that FEMA is not doing a good job in NY. People still need water, shelter and gasoline.
It clear people are not reading the warning label on generators. Please, READ THE WARNING LABEL BEFORE USE. Generators must be used out doors, just like your gas grill. Local officials should of been advising residence on the use of generators. Maybe police should go around and check on those who have and are using generators as they patrol their areas.
Wow what were these people thinking. A gasoline generator is never to be run in any enclosed area and should not be run within an absolute minimum 10' from the house.
gdales6,Most people had them in the garage.People really don't think about carbon monoxide poisoning when they are trying to stay warm.This is tragic to say the least.
Yup - they didn't think. And now they're dead.
After buying a Coleman Stove and Lamp that uses propane bottles I read the instruction booklets and
learned they they must also be used outdoors in open ventilation.
I bought them for emergency use in a storm if the power goes out. They are no good if it is cold outside
and storming. Battery lanterns are the only safe thing for lighting.
Remember if you are using a generator outdoors you must have the OUTDOOR power cords to be safe.
They cost double what the orange extension cords cost but are worth it.
I am wondering where the guy got a generator for $600.00? I shopped and researched for one that
I could operate myself and move to a safe location if the power goes out in the night, etc. Ended up with a
Honda made to be used for tailgate parties, ended up close to $2,000. with the cart, heavy duty outdoor
cords, etc.
These stories make me feel terribly sad. It really makes me count my blessings to have never had to face any type of drastic weather.May they all be remembered and honored by those who love them.
You can use a propane camp stove inside if you are careful. Make sure all connections are tight and there are no leaks, use in a ventilated space, i.e., near a window, do not leave it unattended while in use AND if the flame goes out turn off immediately since most do not have automatic shut off. Also have a carbon monoxide monitor nearby. We used one in Florida after 3 hurricanes in 2004 and never had a problem. Plus we only turned it on for 15 or 20 minutes at the most. Power was out for over a week. It was nice to have a cup of tea and a hot meal. This does not include the "white gas" stoves that you have to pump. Common sense and caution recommended.
Agree on common sense. How many people use their gas/propane range/oven to cook food during the winter when your windows are closed?
Understanding of science and PPM won't hurt either.
People who try to use technology without understanding it are frequently bitten by it. Every user manual that comes with a generator is as explicit as possible about not using it in confined spaces. But too many people don't bother to read the manual. And it's not just generators. I've read of several incidents of illegal immigrants in no power situations using charcoal grills inside to heat their apartments and waking up dead from the CO gas.
Hmmmm.......waking up dead?
:)
I Guess you
can fix stupid!
Another ignorant person that does not know the true story I am her son and do not appreciate these comments
thanks
I guess you can fix Stupid
A lot of people don't understand the dangers. I was told of an elderly couple who had a generator in the hall way of their apartment on the 25th floor in Manhattan.
I realize that the phrase "Sandy's silent killer" may seem catchy to some writers but it's pure BS. The hurricane and its aftereffects didn't kill the people mentioned in this article. It was a terminal case of dumba$$. I find it hard to believe that an adult in the US doesn't know that gasoline exhaust is poisonous. Even if someone is that colossally ignorant, how about reading the freakin' instructions?
Ralph Before you comment please know the circumstances , Case of dumba$$ really? DId you ever think maybe someone else closed the door ? I am her son and do not appreciate your comment before you so called comment maybe you should know the story
Thanks
Yes I did think about that and the fact remains that nobody should be running a generator indoors. It doesn't matter if it's in the main house or in the garage. It's a dumba$$ thing to do.
On the off chance that you are her son and not some troll screwing around (far more likely), sorry for your loss. But I stand by my original statement. The storm and its aftereffects didn't kill her.
We have a generator and have found it to be a blessing and a curse. During one snow storm the power went out and my husband didn't waste any time firing up the generator. He put it in the garage with both doors WIDE open. He placed it as far away from the wall that is attached to the house because of the noise. It wasn't more then an hour when the CO detector in the house went off. Even though the levels being picked up were small we were shocked that ANY was getting into the house. We are SO grateful we had a detector because the power was out for several days and there is no way to tell how quickly the levels would have risen until it was deadly.
So please keep the generators OUTSIDE and AWAY from your house. We also just changed time and it should be a habit for EVERYONE to change the batteries in your smoke and CO detectors when you change your clocks.
And to think for $20 or so a smoke detector w/ a carbon monoxide detecting feature could have helped to prevent these tragedies. Of course, checking the batteries in the detector is just as important too.
So sad. My condolences to the families and friends of the deceased.
I hope everyone gets power soon. They should know better than to use in a confined space..
It is terrible that so many who survived the storms have died needlessly. CO is a silent killer, but EVERY gasoline powered device instructs that it is to be used outdoors. Chain saws, weed whackers, generators all of these machines specify outdoor use only. It is understandable why someone would put the generator in the garage. They don't want it stolen. A CO detector is not an option. Every home must have one becuase your heater could or water heater could malfunction...