Spring Valley Family Uses Charcoal To Heat Home, Suffers Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A Rockland County family suffered carbon monoxide poisoning Monday while using charcoal to heat their home, according to officials.
Steve Kaye, chief of Spring Hill EMS, says the apartment in Spring Valley lost electric power in the weekend snowstorm.
The father came home Monday to find some of his children sick and called 911, Kaye said. EMS workers arrived and detected high carbon monoxide readings. They took two adults and six children to nearby hospitals.
The family might have perished if the father had not called 911, Kaye said.
Spring Valley police Chief Paul Modica says the family members are expected to be released later Monday from the hospitals, however, they may not be able to return to their home.
On Monday, Connecticut Gov. Dan Malloy warned residents of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. "Carbon monoxide may in fact be our biggest enemy at the moment," Malloy said. "Do not bring a gas grill or a kerosene heater into a closed area. You're going to die. You're going to kill yourself and potentially your children."
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