Carencro man killed in storm

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The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) confirms the storm-related death of a man from Lafayette Parish who died after slipping on ice and hitting his head on the ground. The coroner confirmed that the death was linked to the storm. This is the first death linked to the winter storm of February 2021.

The coroner identified the victim as Carol Matthews of Carencro.

Louisiana experiences extreme winter conditions that can lead to widespread blackouts. Due to these outages, many people will turn to individual gas powered generators to power their homes.

However, it is important that anyone who chooses to use a generator does so safely. Using a generator safely is a matter of life and death and many people are killed or hospitalized due to improper and dangerous use of generators, according to LDH.

The Louisiana Department of Health urges residents to read all instructions that come with their generator and follow these safety tips to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

Portable generators should never be used indoors. This includes use inside a garage, carport, basement, crawl space or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even those with ventilation.
Gas generators produce carbon monoxide (CO) exhaust, which is odorless and colorless. Inhaling CO can quickly lead to complete disability or death. Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent the build-up of CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or faint when using a generator, get fresh air IMMEDIATELY. Be sure to locate the generator away from doors, windows, and vents that could allow CO to get inside.

Use a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, whether battery powered or pluggable with battery backup. If CO gas from the generator enters your home and poses a health risk, the alarm will sound to alert you. Test the battery frequently and replace it if necessary.

Do not use gas or electric ovens for heating. A gas oven can extinguish or burn inefficiently, resulting in carbon monoxide poisoning, and electric ovens are not designed for space heating.

Take the following precautions to avoid electric shock:

Keep the generator dry and do not use it in the rain or in wet conditions.

Protect the generator from moisture by operating it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as a tarp held on poles. Always make sure your hands are dry before touching a generator.

Turn off the generator and let cool before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts could ignite. Fuel for generators should be stored in an approved safety container.

Plug devices directly into the generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord. The extension cord must be rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the loads of the connected device. Check that the entire cord is free of cuts or tears and that the cord has all three prongs, and in particular one grounding prong.

Never attempt to power house wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. It is extremely dangerous and poses a risk of electric shock to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in home protection devices.

Be careful with your fuel:

Use the type of fuel recommended in the instructions or on the generator label. Local laws may restrict the amount of fuel you can store or where it can be stored.

Fuel should be stored outside living areas in a locked shed or other protected area away from combustion appliances, such as a natural gas water heater in a garage.

If fuel is spilled or the tank is not properly sealed, invisible vapors from the fuel may travel along the ground or may be ignited by the pilot of the appliance or by arcs from electrical switches in the apparatus.

Always exercise caution and safety when using a generator. If you have questions about the operation of your generator, consult your owner’s manual or call the manufacturer.

If you think you or someone else has been exposed to carbon monoxide, move the person to fresh air and call your doctor or health care professional. If anyone has been electrocuted, call 911 for emergency care instructions.

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