Milwaukee, WI – It was a close call Wednesday morning, June 30 for a family nearly poisoned by carbon monoxide in their Milwaukee home. It happened shortly before 6 a.m. near 63rd and Stark. It came from a generator, according to fire officials, purchased after their power was shut off, the family told FOX6 News.
The family said they’re grateful for the carbon monoxide detector that alerted them to this but added they barely made it out of their home alive, stumbling and losing consciousness on their way out. Fire officials said they did the right thing by getting outside and then calling for help.
Hayes and his family awoke Wednesday morning to the sound of their carbon monoxide alarm.
Milwaukee firefighters said he did the right thing.
“Carbon monoxide doesn’t give you no warning,” said Dewayne Smoots, deputy chief, MFD. “You’re not gonna cough. You’re not gonna choke. You’ll just feel bad, then bad, then flu-like symptoms, and if you’re not cautious, you will just go to sleep and you may not wake up.”
Firefighters determined a generator was being used too close to the house.
Hayes said the family could not afford the energy bill; the power shut off Monday.
“I rented a generator from Home Depot and got it sitting in a nice spot away from the house, no windows open, and everything was going good,” said Hayes.
Several of his children and his wife had to be treated at the hospital but everyone survived.
Hayes said he’s grateful for the firefighters and paramedics who responded.
“I’m glad they got here when they did,” he said.
Firefighters say this is why it is so important to just give a quick check to your carbon monoxide detectors and make sure you have them in your home and they’re working.