As cooler weather arrives in Western North Carolina, the NC Department of Health and Human Services urges individuals, families and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to take safety precautions when heating homes, buildings or other enclosed spaces.
Using gas or wood-burning heat sources without proper safety measures can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and other hazards, especially if fuel sources or appliances have been damaged by the storm.
Safe Practices for Wood-Burning Stoves
Properly installed, correctly used wood-burning appliances should generate very little smoke. If you regularly see or smell smoke, you may have a problem. Take the following steps to reduce smoke inside and outside your home:
- What NOT to burn: Do not burn household trash (including cardboard, plastics, foam, magazines, boxes and wrappers), coated wood, painted wood, pressure-treated wood, driftwood, plywood, particle board, wood with any glue on it, wet or green wood, rotted wood, moldy wood, asbestos, rubber, manure or animal remains. These materials can release toxic or harmful chemicals when burned and may also damage your stove.
- What to burn: Try to burn mainly dry, split, well-seasoned wood. Properly seasoned wood is darker, weighs less and sounds hollow when hit against another piece of wood. You can also use branches, sticks or limbs from fallen trees that are off the ground. Do not use wet or green wood.
- Use a starter: Start fires with newspaper, dry kindling or all-natural fire starters. Never start a fire in a wood-burning stove with gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter.
- Keep flammable items away: Maintain a safe distance between stoves and items like curtains, furniture, newspapers, books or paper. Regularly remove ashes into a covered, metal container, and store the container outdoors on a nonflammable surface.
- Keep the fire hot and door closed: For most appliances, a smoldering fire is not safe or efficient. Build a hot fire and keep the doors of your wood-burning appliance closed unless loading or stoking the live fire. Harmful chemicals, like carbon monoxide, can be released into your home through an open stove door.
- Keep a fire extinguisher handy: In case of a fire, have a fire extinguisher, fire blanket or ample sand or water on-hand to put it out before it can spread.
Safe Practices for Generators and Fuel-Burning Heat Sources
In previous hurricanes in North Carolina, people have died from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by generators running indoors. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas produced whenever fuel is burned. In an enclosed space, such as a home, garage, car or camper, carbon monoxide can build up to deadly levels quickly.
High levels of carbon monoxide can be deadly within minutes. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal to anyone, especially children, pregnant women, older adults and those with chronic illness. People who are sleeping can die from carbon monoxide poisoning without ever becoming aware of their symptoms.
Anyone testing or using a generator or other fuel burning device during should take proper safety precautions, including the following:
- Do not use gasoline-powered tools or engines in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces. Use them outdoors at least 20 feet from all doors, windows and air vents.
- Do not use charcoal grills or propane stoves indoors, even in a fireplace.
- Never use the kitchen stove or other gas appliances to heat your home.
- Do not idle your car, truck or other vehicle in the garage, even if the garage door to the outside is open. Fumes can build up quickly in the garage and living area of your home.
- Keep rooms well ventilated.
- Read and follow all instructions that accompany fuel-burning devices. Use the proper fuel and make sure there is enough air for ventilation and fuel burning.
Even low levels of carbon monoxide can cause dizziness, fatigue, nausea, headaches, confusion or fainting. If you are experiencing these symptoms, get to fresh air immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
For additional questions on how to safely use woodstoves and generators and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, contact the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, NC Division of Public Health, NCDHHS, at 919-707-5900. For more information about Hurricane Helene and resources available for people who are impacted, please go to ncdhhs.gov/helene and ncdps.gov/helene. [source]