Rallying to Raise Awareness After Deadly Carbon Monoxide Accident
EUPHRATA -- A county crushed by a deadly accident is now rallying to raise awareness about carbon monoxide.
Grant County investigators blame poisonous fumes for killing three kids, and putting their teen sister and a cousin in critical condition.
Investigators said the dad brought in a gas-powered generator to heat the home.
The accident has shocked the rural community of Smyrna and raised larger questions throughout the area.
It's the second time an accident like this happened to a Hispanic family in Grant County.
So investigators raised the question: is the the Spanish-speaking community under-served when it comes to safety?
Deputies and emergency management told Action News, this case made them realize a lot of neighbors don't understand the dangers of heating a home. Now that grief-stricken community is jumping into action, spreading the word about safety. It's been called winter's silent killer: carbon monoxide.
It's an odorless gas that cannot be seen or smelled and can kill in minutes.
Grant County investigators suspect the Ramirez family never knew leaving a generator inside their home would be deadly.
"I mean your heart just breaks for that family that just lost their children," Grant County resident Pam Hill said. "They did everything to keep them safe and it didn't work. The carbon monoxide killed them. So it just breaks your heart." "It's a terrible thing that just happened and out hearts go out the them and our prayers are with them," Grant County Emergency Management spokesperson Kyle Forman said.
Parents Gilberto Acosta Gallegos and Elba Villanueva Ramirez brought the generator inside to heat the home after their power went out.
Deputies suspect, in a matter of minutes, three kids had died. The youngest was just a baby, four-month-old Alan Y. Acosta Ramirez.
The other victims were 2-year-old Yadina Acosta Ramirez and 8-year-old Jose Gilberto Acosta Ramirez.
Just one year ago, another hispanic family in Grant County was poisoned when they brought a charcoal barbeque inside their home.
Emergency management officials said their power also had gone out.
In that case, everyone survived.
"We want to reach out to non-English speaking communities who may have in their culture a practice of using alternative heat sources inside their homes," Forman said.
That's why Grant County officials are stepping up efforts to educate people in the community, especially the non-English speaking community, about carbon monoxide safety.
"There needs to be more awareness, definitely, because like I said earlier, I just thought the propane would be the thing that leaks the carbon monoxide," Hill said. "It's important to me because a lot of people don't realize what some of the appliances to heat their homes do," Grant County resident Rachel Cranson said. "The smaller communities just don't have the resources." In response to the deadly accident, the Emergency Management team sent out flyers about Carbon Monoxide safety in Spanish and other languages. Several groups joined in the effort to send out the flyers including the local health district, firefighters, and migrant councils. The groups sent them all over the county: to courthouses, schools, any public place. "They want to get the message out because none of us want to see this happen again." Forman said.
Grant County Emergency Management warns, if homeowners are left without electricity, there are three important steps to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Only use generators outdoors and far from open windows and vents.
Never use a generator indoors, in garages or carports.
Never cook or heat inside on a charcoal or gas grill.
To see these safety flyers in Spanish and other languages, check out the Grant County Emergency Management website.
At this point, two of the kids are still recovering at a Spokane hospital.
As of Wednesday evening, the 13-year-old Ramirez sister was still in critical condition.
The 21-year old niece upgraded from critical to serious condition.
Doctors said it's common to treat carbon monoxide victims with a hyperbaric chamber.
It's the same treatment used in scuba diving accidents.
It helps equalize their body.
Action News will keep you updated on their conditions as more information comes in.
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