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ILLINOIS (WCIA) — As the weather grows warmer, you might find yourself spending time in the water — and on a boat.
But, if your boat is docked at a marina, the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office said there are several important electrical and CO safety tips to keep in mind to avoid an unwanted accident from occurring.
When marina electrical systems leak electrical current into the water, it can cause electrical shocks, which can injure, disable or kill a person. Boats can also present a source of electrical leakage.
Electrical safety tips:
- Never allow swimming near the boat, marina, or launching ramp (currents can flow into the water from the boat or the marina’s wiring)
- Be sure your boat is well maintained by having it inspected each year and getting a qualified marine electrician to do this job
- Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and equipment leakage circuit interrupters (ELCIs) should be installed and tested monthly. Run tests to find out if electrical current is leaking from the boat
- Only use cords intended for marine use and never use household cords near water
- Know where your main breakers are on both the boat and the shore power source
Carbon Monoxide, or CO, is created when fuels don’t fully burn. Boat engines, gas generators, cooking ranges, and space and water heaters can be a source of CO. It’s harmful to people and pets. If you’re boating this summer, follow these steps to stay safe:
- Poorly tuned engines produce more CO, so keep your engine properly maintained
- Proper ventilation for engine and generator exhaust vents must be clear and pipes should be inspected for leaks.
- Get into fresh air right away and get help if you feel symptoms of CO poisoning. These include headache, fatigue, confusion, dizziness, nausea, or seizures. The symptoms can be similar to seasickness
- Do not swim near the boat’s exhaust vents (CO accumulates there)
- Install CO alarms inside your boat and test the CO alarms before each trip
- Choose a CO alarm that is listed by a qualified testing laboratory
- If the CO alarm sounds, move to a fresh air location right away
For more tips to stay safe and enjoy the summer, visit the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Facebook page.