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ST. PETERSBURG — A family survived a close call Friday after all five were overcome by carbon monoxide from a gas-powered generator operating in the living room.
"I just kept trying to walk and kept falling down," said Vennicee Washington, 39, who was hospitalized along with her three teenage children and husband, James Keller, when all five became dizzy and violently ill.
Fire officials are highlighting the near-tragedy as a reminder of hurricane season safety, when the threat of massive power failures looms large.
"Please remember to never operate a gas-powered generator in the home at all," fire Lt. Joel Granata said. "We don't want them in the home, in the garage or anywhere fumes from exhaust can seep into the home."
Washington said the family didn't do that Thursday night.
They used the generator to power an air conditioner and floor fans at their home at 2902 Fairfield Ave. S for a night's stay there.
Around 8 a.m. Friday, Washington woke up and started stumbling around the house. She discovered everyone else in the house was either groggy, vomiting or falling down.
All five were treated and released from local hospitals. The house was ventilated by St. Petersburg fire rescue crews.
Granata said hazardous materials crews discovered carbon monoxide levels inside the teens' bedrooms were approaching the near-lethal levels of 100 parts per million.
"It could have been catastrophic," Granata said. "The whole family could have succumbed to the fumes."
Casey Cora can be reached at (813) 226-3386 or at ccora@sptimes.com.
[Last modified: Jul 07, 2008 11:42 AM]
Comments on this article
by Kim
Jul 5, 2008 11:20 PM
This week's candidates for the Darwin awards. I hope other people learn from this idiotic mistake that could have killed their children.
by Chas
Jul 5, 2008 11:15 PM
How did they live long enough to have children?
by Don
Jul 5, 2008 11:15 PM
Theres a bright set of parents. I hope all will be ok. I wonder if they can read? There are warnings on generators not to do this. I bet the power was turned off for non payment. Otherwise, you move then have power turned off.
by Doug
Jul 5, 2008 11:13 PM
How Stupid, next we'll read about this family suing the generator manufactuer and winning.
by Leo
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Very sad, and fortunately, it was not a tragedy. But I have to ask: How foolish can people get? I once heard from a lady who had just learned that she should not allow her kids to PLAY WITH KNIVES! Incredible.
by Bob
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
You have to be a Neanderthal or caveman to run a gas powered generator in your living room.
by Vincent
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Darwin strikes again.
by jb
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
DUUUUUHHH.
by Annie
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Two adults and 3 teenagers and not one of them knew you should NEVER use a generator inside any enclosed area? What planet are these people from? I'm glad they are all safe and hope others learn from this.
by Allen
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Running a generator in the house?? Darwin would have been proud. I swear just when you think the mouth breathers of SW Florida could not get any stupider, they then bring a gas powered generator IN the house and are shocked that they get sick from CM
by osiicks
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Why would they operate a gas powered generator in the living room?
by Pete
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Why is someone living in a home without power anyway and don't they know how to read? Child endangerment should be charged to the paretns
by Al
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Is this for real? Do these people drive cars on the same streets I do? Where the heck is Darwin when we need him? This family should be imprisoned to protect the rest of us.
by Kyle
Jul 5, 2008 11:11 PM
Lets hope something went wrong in the genetics and the teenagers didn't get their brains from the parents.
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