Acting Fire Marshal Michael Lewis and a Nauwigewauk firefighter participate in a safety demostration involving carbon monoxide on May 8th, 2019. (Tamara Steele/CHSJ News)
This is National Emergency Preparedness Week even though many New Brunswickers are still being tested with another year of serious flooding.
The dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning being singled out as a safety demonstration at the Nauwigewauk fire hall.
In Nauwigewauk for a carbon monoxide safety event. The chief medical officer of health, Dr. Jennifer Russell, is here and Tim Nickerson, Regional emergency measures co-ordinatorwith the NB EMO. pic.twitter.com/3SxSfGBliS
— Tamara Steele (@tamarasteele1) May 8, 2019
Acting Provincial Fire Marshal Michael Lewis says they want to reinforce with people there is no safe way to use a generator indoors or anywhere near an indoor facility.
Lewis explains the safety test.
“We took a standard generator that was here with the Nauwigewauk Fire Department. We just demonstrated that not only is the exhaust being put out at high temperatures that can increase the likelihood of fine but, considerable quantities of carbon monoxide are being generated by this equipment.” Lewis said.
After the generator ran for a while, testing equipment showed the air within three to four feet of the generator showed 420 parts per million of carbon monoxide.
Dr. Jennifer Russell says exposure to carbon monoxide can be fatal and breathing it in reduces the body’s ability to carry oxygen in your blood.
Russell says because carbon monoxide has no taste, odour or colour and does not irritate the nose, eyes or throat is poses a serious threat, particularly while people are asleep.
“Obviously it’s worse if you are asleep because you wouldn’t even feel the symptoms and nobody would notice those symptoms. If you are awake, there are some symptoms you can look for like headache, dizziness, loss of consciousness and blurry vision.” Russell said.
National Emergency Preparedness Week is May 5-11. In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. https://t.co/39p9MsvVlW pic.twitter.com/oCO3vQRsNd
— Government of NB (@Gov_NB) May 8, 2019
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