High winds forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning signal a potential risk for power outages, which can pose health dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning and illness from spoiled foods. With stormy months ahead, King County Public Health recommends all residents prepare now and know what to do to stay safe, warm and healthy.

Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, invisible gas that can kill. Carbon monoxide comes from burning fuels such as gasoline, propane, oil, kerosene, natural gas, coal or wood. Carbon monoxide poisoning is preventable:

• Only use a generator outdoors and far from open windows and vents.

• Never use a generator indoors, in garages or carports.

• Never use a gas or charcoal grill, hibachi, or portable propane heater to cook indoors or heat your home.

• Avoid combustion space heaters unless there is an exhaust vent.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can strike suddenly and without warning. Physical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include splitting headache, nausea and vomiting, and lethargy and fatigue. If you believe you could be experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, get fresh air immediately. Call for medical help from a neighbor’s home and the fire department will tell you when it is safe to reenter the home.

For a full list of carbon monoxide prevention tips in English and 13 additional languages visit www.kingcounty.gov.

If power goes out, keep your food safe

• Keep the doors closed on your refrigerators and freezers as much as possible. This keeps the cold air inside. A full freezer can stay at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about 1 day.

• If you think the power will be out for several days, try to find some ice to pack inside your refrigerator. Remember to keep your raw • Refrigerated foods should be safe as long as the power is out no more than a few hours and the refrigerator/freezer doors have been kept closed. Potentially hazardous foods, such as meat and fish, should be discarded if they warm up above 41º F.

• Frozen foods that remain frozen are not a risk. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed, but are still cold or have ice crystals on them, you should use them as soon as possible. If potentially hazardous foods are thawed and are warmer than 41º F, you should discard them.

Make an emergency kit

Prepare now by making a home emergency kit, including:

• water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation;

• food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food;

• battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both;

• flashlight and extra batteries and

• first aid kit.

For a complete list of emergency kit items and more ways to stay safe visit the Taking Winter by Storm Web site.