CPSC Warns of Dangers After a Hurricane or Power Outage Hits

		The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1973 and charged with protecting the American public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call the CPSC hotline at 1-800-638-2772, or visit http//:www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. Further recall information is available at http://www.cpsc.gov. (PRNewsFoto)[TC] WASHINGTON, DC USA

Carbon Monoxide from Portable Generators Can Kill You in Minutes WASHINGTON, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- During Hurricane Preparedness Week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging consumers to take steps to safeguard their families when using a portable generator. If your power is out due to a hurricane, or for any reason, operating your generator safely can mean the difference between life and death. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030904/USCSCLOGO ) The exhaust from generators contains poisonous carbon monoxide, an odorless, invisible killer. "The amount of carbon monoxide from one generator is equivalent to hundreds of idling cars," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Carbon monoxide from a portable generator can kill you and your family in minutes." In 2005, at least 55 people died from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with portable generators. The aftermath of last year's four major hurricanes resulted in a majority of those deaths. CPSC urges consumers to follow these safety tips when operating a portable generator after a storm or other event that has caused a power outage. * Never use a portable generator indoors, including in your home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or partially-enclosed area -- even with ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent CO buildup in the home. * Only use a portable generator outdoors in a dry area far away from doors, windows and vents that can allow CO to come indoors. * Install battery-operated CO alarms or plug-in CO alarms with battery back-up in your home. Test the alarms frequently and replace dead batteries. * Get to fresh air right away if you start to feel dizzy or weak. The CO from generators can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. * Plug appliances into a heavy duty, outdoor-rated extension cords and plug the cords into the generator. * If you are concerned about theft, secure your generator outside. To reach consumers with this lifesaving information, CPSC has developed new warning labels for newly manufactured generators. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) has adopted the same labels in its new procedure for certifying portable generators. Any manufacturer that wants the UL certification will have to place the new warning label on its generators. Generators must also have ground fault circuit interrupters to prevent electrocution if they get wet. CPSC Chairman Stratton said, "If we can keep people from using a generator indoors, in a partially-enclosed area or anywhere close to their home, these labels have done their job." Last fall, Stratton directed CPSC staff to undertake a comprehensive safety review of portable generators. That review is ongoing. Video Feed Satellite Coordinates (C-Band) Wednesday, May 24 Thursday, May 25 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm (Eastern Time) 4:30 am - 5:00 am (Eastern Time) Satellite: IA 6 Satellite: IA 5 Transponder: 9 Transponder: 13 Downlink frequency: 3880V Downlink frequency: 3960V Audio 6.2 & 6.8 Audio 6.2 & 6.8 Technical Information DURING FEED ONLY, call Daniel Conboy at (800) 920-6397. This satellite feed is provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, for your free and unrestricted use. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products -- such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -- contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.