Carencro man killed in storm-related death

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is confirming the storm-related death of a Lafayette Parish man who died after slipping on the ice and hitting his head on the ground. The coroner confirmed this death as related to the storm. It is the first death related to the February 2021 winter storm.

The coroner identified the victim as Carol Matthews of Carencro.

Louisiana is experiencing an extreme winter that can cause widespread outages. Because of these outages, many people will turn to individual gas 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 unsafe use of generators, according to LDH.

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

Portable generators should never be used indoors. This includes use within a garage, garage, basement, crawl space or other closed or partially closed area, even those with ventilation.
Gas powered generators produce a carbon monoxide (CO) exhaust, which is odorless and colorless. CO inhalation can quickly lead to total disability or death. Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent the accumulation of CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak when using a generator, get fresh air IMMEDIATELY. Be sure to place the generator away from doors, windows and openings that could allow CO to enter indoors.

Use a carbon monoxide alarm in your home, whether battery operated or plug-in with backup battery. If the CO gas from the generator enters your home and poses a health risk, the alarm will sound to warn you. Test the battery frequently and replace when necessary.

Do not use gas or electric ovens for heating. A gas oven can burn out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning, and electric ovens are not designed for space heating.

Take the following precautions to avoid electrocution:

Keep the generator dry and do not use it in rainy or humid conditions.

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

Turn off the generator and let it cool before refueling. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can catch fire. Generator fuel must be stored in an approved safety can.

Connect the devices directly to the generator or use a sturdy external extension cable. The extension cable must be rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the loads of the connected device. Check that the entire cable has no cuts or tears and that the cable has three pins and, in particular, a grounding pin.

Never attempt to wire the house by connecting the generator to an outlet. It is extremely dangerous and presents a risk of electrocution for the concessionaire’s workers and neighbors served by the same transformer of the concessionaire. It also ignores some of the built-in home protection devices.

Watch 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 the place of storage.

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

If the fuel is spilled or the container is not properly sealed, invisible fuel vapors can travel along the ground or can be lit by the pilot light of the device or by arcs of electrical switches on the device.

Always practice proper care 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, take the person to an airy place and call your doctor or health care professional. If someone has been electrocuted, call 911 for emergency care instructions.

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