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☠️ Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

What Makes It Deadly

Gas-powered appliances, generators, and charcoal/gas grills increase carbon monoxide poisoning cases during power outages. Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless, tasteless, and highly poisonous.

⚠️ Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Symptoms

• Fatigue and weakness

• Chest pains (especially with heart disease)

• Shortness of breath upon exertion

• Nausea, vomiting, headaches

• Confusion and lack of coordination

• Impaired vision

• Loss of consciousness and death

✅ Critical Prevention Measures

Battery-Powered CO Detector

Essential for power outage safety - recommended by emergency coordinators

Proper Ventilation

Cross ventilation: open windows 1 inch on each side of room

Never Use Outdoors-Only Equipment Inside

Generators, grills, camp stoves - DEADLY when used indoors

🏠 Insulate & Contain Heat

🎯 First Priority: Maximize heat retention before adding heat sources

The most effective strategy is to prevent heat loss while concentrating warmth in a smaller area.

🧊 Seal & Insulate

Seal cracks: Use towels and blankets around doors and windows

Window sealing: Vacuum-seal tape from hardware stores

Cover openings: Hang blankets over doorways and windows

🎯 Choose Your Safe Room

Best Options:

• Interior rooms (bathrooms, closets)
• Basement (earth heat gain)
• Rooms away from cold winds
• Areas without large windows

Avoid:

• Rooms with large windows
• Uninsulated walls
• Areas facing prevailing winds

🔥 Safe Alternative Heating Methods

Safety Hierarchy: Safer to More Dangerous

Listed from safest options to least desirable. Makeshift heaters like charcoal grills and kerosene heaters should only be used with plenty of ventilation.

⚡ Generators (OUTDOOR USE ONLY)

✅ Safe Practices:

• Keep generators OUTDOORS only
• Use cables to connect to indoor appliances
• Store fuel away from heated areas
• Never store gasoline/kerosene near heat

❌ NEVER:

• Operate generators indoors
• Use in garage or enclosed space
• Store fuel in heated areas

🔋 Portable Power Systems (Inverters)

A power inverter converts 12V DC (car battery) to 110V AC, enabling use of electrical devices during outages.

💰 100-Watt Unit ($50)

• Powers 4 heating pads (25W each)
• Perfect for pet warming
• Wrap in towels for safety

⚡ 400-Watt Unit ($100s)

• Same capacity as gas generators
• Hundreds less expensive
• Safer operation

🔌 Accessories

• Jumper cables ($5-10)
• Extra 12V batteries
• Rechargeable batteries (6-12 hours)

🔥 Fireplaces & Wood Burning

🪵 Fuel Options:

• Traditional wood logs
• Paper "logs" (tightly rolled newspapers)
• Lumber (emergency situations)
• Furniture (last resort)

⚠️ Ventilation Required:

Connect stoves to chimney flue or extend pipe through window for proper venting

🔥 Grills (HIGH RISK - OUTDOOR ONLY)

⚠️ EXTREME DANGER WARNING

• NEVER use charcoal/gas grills indoors
• Carbon monoxide is a deadly byproduct
• Gas grills involved in 5x more fires than charcoal
• Indoor grills need working ventilation fans

✅ Safe Outdoor Use:

• Cooking food outdoors
• Heating bricks/rocks for heat storage
• Well-ventilated areas only

🔊 Safety Check:

If using indoor grill, listen for fan sounds. CO won't vent without working fans.

🌡️ Creative Warming Solutions

🔥 Heat Packs & Hand Warmers

Setup: Wrap cages with bubble wrap or thick towels

Use: "Snap" to activate, wrap in towels

Cost: ~$1 each at drug stores

⚠️ Prevent direct contact - contents are toxic if chewed

🍚 DIY Rice Heat Packs

Materials: 2 lbs rice in pillowcase, tied shut

Heating: Microwave 2 min, then 30-sec intervals

Duration: Stays warm for long periods

💡 Great under down quilts or with pets

🧱 Heated Bricks

Heat Source: Gas oven, fireplace, or outdoor grill

Safety: Warm but touchable when removed

Duration: Hold warmth for hours, sometimes days

✓ Wrap in towels, place under beds or cages

🌱 "Green" Composting Heat

Materials: Yard leaves + kitchen scraps

Method: Double-bag, dampen, seal in trash can

Result: Composting generates heat for days

🏡 Perfect for outdoor aviaries and structures

💧 Hot Water Methods

Bathtub: Fill with hot water for room warming

Bottles: Hot water bottles for bed warming

Commuter mugs: Car lighter heated cups

⏰ Effective for short-term outages

🤗 Body Heat Sharing

Beds: Multiple people sharing blankets

Clothing: Layers, warm clothing

Emergency: Chicks under sweaters against body

✓ Safest warming method available

🛡️ CRITICAL SAFETY PROTOCOLS

🚨 Life-Saving Safety Rules

👁️ Always Have Someone Awake

• One person stays awake to watch for fire
• Monitor for carbon monoxide symptoms
• Drowsiness = possible CO poisoning
• Introduce fresh air if watch person feels sleepy

💨 Mandatory Ventilation

• Never burn anything larger than candles without ventilation
• Open windows 1 inch on each side for cross-ventilation
• All non-electric heaters need outside venting
• Fresh air prevents toxic gas buildup

🔥 Fire Prevention & Response

🧯 Fire Fighting Setup:

• Dry powder fire extinguisher nearby
• Sand, salt, or baking soda for non-oil fires
• Heavy blanket for smothering flames
• Post fire department number near phone

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Preparation:

• Discuss emergency procedures with all family
• Practice home evacuation plan
• Teach basic firefighting techniques
• Ensure everyone knows CO symptoms

📞 Emergency Resources & Contacts

🚨 Emergency Services

911

Fire, Police, Medical Emergency

🔥 Fire Department

Post local number near your phone

Call immediately for any fire emergency

🆘 Emergency Preparedness

Visit: www.2resilience.org

Resource by Carol Dunn, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

❄️ Winter Survival Depends on Smart Preparation

⚠️ Never Forget:

• Carbon monoxide kills silently
• Ventilation saves lives
• Never use outdoor equipment inside
• Always have someone awake

✅ Remember:

• Safety first, warmth second
• Multiple small heat sources are safer
• Insulation is as important as heating
• Preparation prevents panic