WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2024 – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging people affected by flooding in Southern California to take precautions against carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrocution, explosion, and fires.
The commission is warning residents of the dangers posed by wet appliances, particularly the risk of electrocution if they come into contact with electrical sources in flooded homes. It advises homeowners to have professionals or gas and electric companies evaluate their homes and replace gas control valves, electrical wiring, circuit breakers, and fuses that have been submerged in water before using any appliances.
In times of power outages, consumers are urged to be cautious when using gasoline-powered portable generators. The commission emphasizes that carbon monoxide from these generators can be lethal and is known as the invisible killer due to its odorless and colorless nature. Statistics from CPSC show that nearly 100 consumers die in the U.S. each year from CO poisoning from portable generators. The report also highlights the disproportionate impact on non-Hispanic Black or African Americans, who accounted for 23% of generator-related CO deaths from 2011 to 2021, a rate much higher than their share in the U.S. population.
Furthermore, the CPSC provides essential life-saving tips, including operating portable generators outside the home, ensuring regular maintenance, and looking for models with CO shut-off safety features to reduce the risk of CO poisoning. In addition, the commission highlights the importance of working smoke and CO alarms, caution when using charcoal and candles, and immediate evacuation in the event of a gas leak.
The CPSC encourages the public to visit its Carbon Monoxide Safety Center and Fire Safety Center for further information and resources. It also offers a link to broadcast quality video for media and invites media inquiries, providing contact information for interviews and access to statements from individual Commissioners.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with thousands of consumer products, underlines the significance of its work in contributing to the decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
For further lifesaving information, the public is directed to visit CPSC.gov, sign up for e-mail alerts, follow CPSC on social media, report dangerous products or product-related injuries on SaferProducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline, or contact a media specialist.
The article draws attention to crucial safety measures and resources provided by the CPSC, offering valuable guidance for individuals affected by flooding in Southern California.