When electricity goes out, it can eliminate all the normal routines from your family. If the power failure is in winter, the danger of extreme cold can add to the problem. Younger children – especially infants – are at risk of hypothermia. But other heat sources may have dangers. So how can you keep your children warm and safe – without being able?
Many families are counting on a fuel oven or an electric radiator to heat their house, which will not work without electricity. You may be able to use a petrol or propane generator to operate your domestic systems. However, like your car, these can produce toxic gas carbon monoxide in their exhaust.
Carbon monoxide is invisible and has no smell, and it can easily accumulate inside at deadly levels. Thus, generators must work well outside the house and the garage, and far from the windows or other air intakes. If you reuse your car, gas stove or barbecue pit to generate heat for your home, don’t forget that they have not been designed for this purpose and can produce dangerous quantities of carbon carbon monoxide .
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be vague and imitate food poisoning or viral disease such as flu. Beware of symptoms such as headaches, nausea, chest pain and a general feeling of discomfort, especially if several members of your household experience it.
If you worry about these symptoms, or if your carbon monoxide detector alarm is triggered, move everyone to fresh air. Then you can check the possible sources from combustion ovens, generators and devices.
If you lose energy in winter, wearing additional diapers can help in the event of a short -term breakdown. However, you may need to move your home temporarily to another refuge. When you choose where to go, keep in mind that the extreme weather conditions that caused the power outage can also make travel difficult. Look at community resources such as warming centers or contact family or friends who may have power that can temporarily shelter.
These suggestions may not be practical once the power has already died, it is preferable to prepare before the next power failure or any other disaster. This is particularly important because climate change causes more extreme weather conditions.
Have an emergency kit or a “bag bag” (for you, your children and your pets) in case you need to leave your house in a hurry. Think in advance of the things you and your family will need, such as medicines, food, infants, clothes, diapers, toiletries, pocket lamps and batteries to keep your devices loaded .
Have at least one carbon monoxide detector in your home. It must be supplied by battery or have a battery backup if it is a type of plug-in, and must respond to the Laboratories of Subscribers (UL) Standard 2034. If you have only one detector , install it near the areas that you and your family sleep. This will help you wake up if carbon monoxide levels increase and cause the alarm sound.
If you are considering a backup generator, don’t forget that all generators need a fuel source to work; If yours uses petrol and there are widespread energy failures, the pumps of your local service station may not work. Permanently installed whole generators that operate on natural gas or propane can light up in the event of a power failure, even when you are not at home. But they can cost thousands of dollars to buy, install and maintain. In addition, a personal generator is not a practical solution if you live in an apartment or another group group.
Maintain your fuel combustion devices, including their exhaust channels, which must be cleaned and inspected each year by a professional service provider.
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Carl Baum, MD, FACMT, FAAP, is certified in pediatric emergency medicine and medical toxicology. He sits on the executive committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics Council on children and disasters. Professor of pediatrics and emergency medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, he is director of the Lead Yale program. He sits at the National Biodefense Science Board in the American Department of Health and Social Services. He is also a member of the exemption committee on the therapeutic use of the American anti -doping agency.
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