Carbon Monoxide

[FishTracker]

I just saw in the StarTribune the news about a 13 year old girl found dead in a ice shack. Her 11 year old brother was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. This happened in Aitkin on Elm Island lake. The kids spent the night in the ice house with a gas heater and were found by their father the next day.

Please be aware of the dangers of carbon monixide. Ice fishing, just like any other sport is a lot of fun if we play it safe.

My condolences go to the family. I hope the boy makes it through alright.

Have a safe holiday everyone.

[ghotierman]

Heard the story on the radio. Please be careful everyone...would hate to see another story like this again.

Our prayers for the family.

Be safe, anglers...

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Northeast Outfitters
915 Hwy 29 N NE
Alexandria, MN 56308
(320) 763-9598

[The Chemist]

Just read the story. Very sad.

What I find sort of puzzling is why a 11 and 13 yr old are staying out over night in a house alone? I guess I find it odd in respect to seeing the vandalism that has happened in the past on Minnesota lakes.

It's a shame to lose a young angler. Hopefully her brother can make it.

[dickie]

I have read about the threat of carbon monoxide in fish houses and suggest that a battery powered c.o. monitor is a possible answer. I use one in my tent trailer in archery season when using coleman lanterns as a heat source.

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[Steve Foss]

I wouldn't be surprised if we see some type of legislation when the session starts about making carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in permanent ice fishing houses heated by propane. I'm not nuts about over-regulation, but it seems like not a bad law to pass. Those detectors aren't very expensive.

I'm sorry for the family. That's a hard thing.

[TUMBLEWEED]

Ventilate,Ventilate,Ventilate.

Three words to LIVE by......

My thoughts are with the family
Accidents like this, and especially
around this time of year, hit hard.

[MNice]

Tumbleweed has it right. Ventilation.

Also, if you're not familiar with heaters, have someone look at it to make sure everything is adjusted correctly, ie. burners, gas pressure, air adjustments, etc. . Even vented heaters can create CO in the right situation. Be safe!!

[MNice]

In today's Star/trib, it was a vented heater in the fishouse. FYI

The following from the St.Paul P.Press

<Tom Jones, a specialist with the DNR, said the heater in use in the house where the Leathers children were sleeping reportedly was not vented properly. In this case, the only vent reportedly was a short pipe extending from the side of the house that faced into the wind, trapping the exhaust in the fish house.

"You've got to make sure your system is going to work in the wind, that all the exhaust can get out of the house," Jones said.

To be safe, fish houses should have fresh air intakes on the floor and vents up on the ceiling to maintain a constant air flow, FM-Millelacs said. Cracking a window can help. He also recommends using direct-vent LP gas furnaces.>

[This message has been edited by MNice (edited 12-17-2002).]

[rscabin]

Too young to be out on the ice by themselves overnight. (hind sight always 2020)
Very sad situation
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

[The Crumpler]

CO is a colorless, ODORLESS gas. If Dad had been out on the ice with them, there would have been 3 victims instead of 2.

Here in Michigan two police officers died in their hunting shack from CO poisoning during this past deer season.

Unfortunately CO posioning doesn't have specific symptoms and can be characterized by headache, drowsiness, flu-like symptoms,
confusion, abdominal pain and other vague complaints. If you or someone you are with starts acting strangely GET OUT to fresh air and go to an ER.

Hopefully we won't have to read that terrible headline again anytime soon.

[ackotz]

I suffered CO poisoning in my portable 2 yrs ago!
I was at Mille Lacs in a cold, snowy, steady wind.
I had my 1 lb. bottle of propane (with a Paulin heating element on it). Anyway, to make a long story short, the inside of my Fish Trap 1 had been melting the snow (which was sticking to the outside of my 'Trap), causing my Fish Trap to become an airtight cocoon.
I started to get a headache, and started to doze off when my brother-in-law came over to find out why I wasn't responding to his calls (he was in his "vented" Fish Trap II)...
I sold that "Original Dave Genz Ventless Fish Trap 1" and bought a newer one that has vent flaps in it!!!!

[I Like Worms]

How much are battery operated co detectors? $20, $25? Worth every penny IMHO.
It is a very sad story.

[Guest]

where can you get a battery opp co detector?

[dickie]

Regarding the purchase of a battery operated c.o. monitor.
You can pick one up at most home building centers or hardware center for $20-$35 or try a heating or electrical supply house.

[Steve Foss]

I'm going to reply to the sentiment that 13 and 11 is too young to be out on the ice overnight in a permanent shelter alone, and hope not to start anything nasty.

Children mature at their own pace. It's not for anyone but the parents to say whether their children should have been out there overnight. It'd be different if they were 5 years old, but at 13 and 11, children can legally babysit younger children. I'm NOT saying it was the right thing to do, only that it's not for us to judge.

[Guest]

use a stove pipe and open the door a little. don't use those crappy little element heaters.never use gas lanterns. those thing will kill you.