Fatal Outages

Poisoned When the Power Goes Out

Carbon monoxide deaths predictably follow every major weather-related power outage. Experts say these fatalities are preventable. ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News investigate.

A Shut-Off Switch Was Supposed to Prevent 99% of Generator-Related Deaths. It Failed a Family of Three.

The generator industry has touted automatic shut-off switches as a lifesaving fix for carbon monoxide poisoning. But the voluntary standard falls short of what federal regulators say is necessary to eliminate deaths.

Congress Investigates Portable Generator Manufacturers Following Carbon Monoxide Deaths

Many generators available for sale have not received potentially lifesaving safety upgrades. Citing a ProPublica, Texas Tribune and NBC News investigation, the House Committee on Oversight and Reform wants to know why.

Carbon Monoxide Killed a Mother and Daughter. A Firefighter Was Reprimanded After a Delayed 911 Response.

After half of a family was found dead from carbon monoxide poisoning, reporting by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News revealed that a fire crew had failed to enter the house to check on them. A firefighter has now been disciplined.

U.S. Plans New Safety Rules to Crack Down on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Portable Generators

The announcement comes two months after an investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune and NBC News detailed the deadly cost of the government’s failure to regulate portable generators.

El monóxido de carbono que producen los generadores envenena a miles de personas al año. Estados Unidos ha fallado en exigir cambios de seguridad.

Los generadores portátiles están entre los productos de consumo más mortales. Dos décadas después de que el gobierno identificará el peligro, el sistema deja a la gente vulnerable al permitir que la industria se regule a sí misma.

Carbon Monoxide From Generators Poisons Thousands of People a Year. The U.S. Has Failed to Force Safety Changes.

Portable generators are among the deadliest consumer products. Two decades after the government identified the danger, and as climate change leads to more power outages, people are left vulnerable by a system that lets the industry regulate itself.

“La mitad de la familia simplemente desapareció de la noche a la mañana”

Después de atender una llamada al 911 sobre una familia que se había desmayado, equipos de emergencia llegaron a la casa y tocaron la puerta. Como nadie contestó, se marcharon. Adentro, una familia entera estaba siendo envenenada por monóxido de carbono.

“People Will Lose Their Lives”: Texas Isn’t Doing Enough to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Deaths, Critics Say

Months after the deadly gas killed at least 17 Texans during a massive winter storm, lawmakers have failed to take significant action to protect most of the state’s residents.

“Half of the Family Just Disappeared Overnight”

Following a 911 call about a family that had fainted, first responders arrived at the house and knocked on the door. No one answered, so they left. Inside, an entire family was being poisoned by carbon monoxide.

Texas Enabled the Worst Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Catastrophe in Recent U.S. History

They used their car to stay warm when a winter storm brought down the Texas power grid. In a state that doesn’t require carbon monoxide alarms in homes, they had no warning they were poisoning themselves.

Texas no exige alarmas de monóxido de carbono. Sus residentes más vulnerables pagaron el precio

Usaron su auto para calentarse cuando una tormenta invernal tumbó la red eléctrica de Texas. En un estado que no exige alarmas para detectar el monóxido de carbono en las viviendas, no tenían advertencia alguna de que se estaban intoxicando.

How to Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas that can cause serious injury or even death if inhaled in high quantities. Here’s how you can keep your home and family safe.

Cómo prevenir la intoxicación por monóxido de carbono en su vivienda

El monóxido de carbono es un gas invisible, incoloro e inodoro, que puede causar serios problemas de salud e incluso la muerte si es inhalado en altas cantidades. Esto es lo que tiene que saber para mantener a su familia y a su hogar seguros.

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