Be careful with generators

SkiingSixPack wrote:
Update from the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, MN paper)

Looks like it may have been the genny with the exhaust pointed under the skirted trailer. So sad!!!

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27064083/duluth-2-found-dead-trailer-carbon-monoxide-suspected

Thanks for the update.

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2014/12/06/carbon-monoxide

Update from the Pioneer Press (St. Paul, MN paper)

Looks like it may have been the genny with the exhaust pointed under the skirted trailer. So sad!!!

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27064083/duluth-2-found-dead-trailer-carbon-monoxide-suspected

Safety is really SO simple: READ and FOLLOW the instructions!
It doesn't matter if it is a grill, hibachi pot, heater, cook stove, etc. If it consumes fuel, it produces water vapor and CO or CO2 or both. Either CO or CO2 can kill in high enough concentrations!
Sadly, the "macho" attitude of "I don't need to read the instructions, I know how to operate the thing!" and "Safety warnings are just CYA lawyer talk!" is entirely too prevalent.
I sincerely hope the survivors aren't psychologically damaged by this.

I don't even like the propane fired space heaters that's installed in trailers. Appears to be a problem waiting to happen.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Tragic for sure......hopefully the two other teens recover completely.

I question whether generator was cause.
"Rice Lake Township firefighters say the carbon monoxide levels in the camper were high and a generator was found nearby"

Generator found nearby......doesn't mean it was source.
Could have been faulty rv furnace, stove or some other heating device being used.
And what about CO alarm.....didn't have, bad unit, bad battery.

Typically these types of incidents are so easily prevented.

Reporters just don't know how to report anymore.

I agree that the genny was probably NOT the culprit?? (Assuming the camper was closed up to stay warm) Prayers for the 2 teens....

Veebyes wrote:
People do the dumbest things. We had a cat 2 hurricane go through here in October. Power failures all over the Island. During the storm some dumbo decided that firing up his propane grill indoors to cook his chicken was a good idea. The fool almost burned his house down.

Isn't that the truth!!!

There was a house fire near here earlier this week. Fire Captian speaking with reporters says (rather nonchalantly) "the fire was started by a resident who placed a hairdrier in their bed to preheat it before retiring for the night".

The bed got warm alright, burnt the place to the foundation.

When someone questioned how the blaze got going so well before firefighters got there it came out the (same) resident felt it more important to gather up personal possessions and clothes than to call 911 first.

Darwin is alive and well folks.

Vent, vent, vent! I always tell people to open a window and a ceiling vent in campers. So many people try to seal up their camper to "retain heat", that they don't get any fresh air inside. And make sure your generator is not underneath your open window.

Never a year goes by that we do not hear of something like this.. One of the reasons why I have a GEN-TURI next to me as I type this.. (Not using generator so it's in storage).

People do the dumbest things. We had a cat 2 hurricane go through here in October. Power failures all over the Island. During the storm some dumbo decided that firing up his propane grill indoors to cook his chicken was a good idea. The fool almost burned his house down.

now don't give generators a bad name. I have seen people bring in BBQ's, propane and charcoals and use them for heat when the lights go out. people just don't think it can happen to them.