BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Four people in Louisiana died from carbon monoxide poisoning during and after Hurricane Ida, according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Experts give tips on what to do to keep you and your loved ones safe.
“Know your machine and know that it runs. Run it in advance,” Kris Kiser, president and CEO of Outdoor Power Equipment Institute said.
“You cannot run these machines indoors. It’s a gasoline engine. It creates carbon monoxide. And so, safety is first. Safety is key,” Kiser said.
Kiser advises keeping all power and gasoline equipment at least twenty feet from your home.
“Your manufacturer’s guidance on your generator will tell you exactly what that is. They’re going to recommend that you have the power cords, the extension cords, which are both weather related, and that they are long enough to get you a safe distance from the house, which is critical,” Kiser said.
He said it’s also important to be aware of thieves and to keep an eye on any portable items.
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