<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:garamond,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><font color="#999999" face="Arial" size="7"><span style="font-size: 42pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">NEWS </span></font></i></b><b><i><font color="#999999" face="Arial" size="6"><span style="font-size: 24pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">from </span></font></i></b><b><i><font color="#999999" face="Arial" size="7"><span style="font-size: 42pt; font-family: Arial; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">SEMO</span></font></i></b><b><font color="#999999" size="7"><span style="font-size: 42pt; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"></span></font></b></p>
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<b><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">NEW YORK</span></font></b><b><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> STATE</span></font></b><b><font face="Arial" size="4"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;"> EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICE</span></font></b></p>
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<b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">1220 Washington Avenue</span></font></b><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">, Building 22, Albany ,
NY 12226-2251</span></font></b></p>
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<div style="border-style: solid none; border-color: windowtext -moz-use-text-color; border-width: 1pt medium; padding: 1pt 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><b><font face="Arial" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold;">Eliot Spitzer,
Governor
John R. Gibb, Director</span></font></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
Media Contact:</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dennis
Michalski
FOR RELEASE:</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(518)
292-2310
IMMEDIATE, Thursday</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:CA@semo.state.ny.us" target="_blank" href="mailto:CA@semo.state.ny.us">CA@semo.state.ny.us</a>
October 25, 2007</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: bold;">NEW
YORKERS WARNED OF DANGERS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING</span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><i><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;">Citizens
urged to “Be Prepared” for challenges of winter months ahead</span></font></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font color="black" face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black;">As colder
weather becomes the norm in the Northeast, </span></font>John R. Gibb, Director
of the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), today encouraged N<font color="black"><span style="color: black;">ew Yorkers to make sure their home
heating systems are working to ensure their safety throughout the winter
heating season to avoid the perils of carbon monoxide poisoning. </span></font> </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font color="black" face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black;">“C</span></font><span style="letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">arbon monoxide poisoning is a silent, deadly
killer that claims about 1,000 lives each year in the
United States ,” Gibb said.
“There are some simple common sense steps New Yorkers should take to
protect themselves and loved ones over the coming winter months.”</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Director issued this
advice to combat carbon monoxide poisoning as part of SEMO’s annual
winter preparedness message in advance of
New York State ’s
observance of Winter Weather Awareness Week, which runs from Sunday, October
28, through November 3.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Carbon
monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be produced by such common items
as home heating systems, obstructed chimneys and automotive exhaust. The gas
can also be produced by poorly vented generators, kerosene heaters, gas grills
and other cooking and heating items when used improperly during the winter
months. </span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Have
a professional check out the furnace, woodstove and chimney to ensure that they
are in good working order,” Gibb advised. “Make sure the flue is
clear. Never run generators indoors and open a window slightly when using
a kerosene heater.”</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">He
also said that people should never use charcoal to cook indoors and never use a
gas oven to heat the residence.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">“Most
importantly, make sure that you have carbon monoxide, smoke and heat detectors
properly installed in your home and test the batteries,” he said. </span>The
Director pointed out that the changing of the clocks on November 4 for the end
of Daylight Saving Time is the perfect occasion to put new batteries in both
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.</font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">The
SEMO Director also urged New Yorkers to have their motor vehicles thoroughly
inspected before the start of the winter driving season, including their
exhaust systems. “As the weather turns colder, never run a motor
vehicle in a closed garage,” he said. </span></font></p>
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</span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; line-height: 12pt;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; letter-spacing: -0.15pt;">Symptoms
of carbon monoxide poisoning include sleepiness, headaches and dizziness. Gibb
said that if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning, ventilate the area and get
to a hospital.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Referring to the Western
New York ice storm and the lake-effect snows in Central
New York that occurred last winter, Gibb reminded New Yorkers that
winter storms can come at any time and not to wait for the official start of
winter on December 22.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s why
it makes sense to prepare ourselves, our homes and our vehicles for winter
now,” he said. “And that includes changing our mindset that
we need to slow down on the road and drive according to the weather
conditions.”</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gibb urged citizens to
develop an emergency plan for home and at work, know who to call and where to
go in case of emergency, prepare a portable cache of emergency supplies, and
“winterize” their vehicles.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He advised citizens to be
aware of local weather conditions by listening to local television and radio
stations or the NOAA Weather Radio and then plan activities accordingly.</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Motorists should
drive with extreme care during the winter,” Gibb said. “When
severe weather is forecast, stay at home unless you absolutely have to
drive. If you must go out, plan your stops, clean the vehicle completely
of snow and ice, and always match your speed to road conditions.”</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, he emphasized
that winter is especially challenging for the elderly and physically
disabled. “Keep an eye on your neighbor and be prepared to lend a
helping hand,” he said. “With a bit of planning and by using
some common sense, this winter will be safer and more enjoyable for
everyone.”</span></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For more information on
how individuals can be better prepared for emergencies and for winter safety
tips, visit the SEMO website at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.semo.state.ny.us/">www.semo.state.ny.us</a>.</span></font></p>
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