RIC H EF110 Quick Thinking ci -5) RCON1 57 Friendship Circle volunteers survive carbon monoxide poisoning. SHELLI DORFMAN Staff Writer A www.freedlandind.com (248) 816-6330 4111.I ■ 411. ■ — 1111111111 ■ 11111 111 MO NW MN= EL-111 MR IML ix I LAI /LEI _ M Mr— Now/ Es a Air— mi =ow EFFECTIVE AND DEPENDABLE PROTECTION SINCE 1931 Featuring "PERIMETER PLUS" Program Exterior Non-Intrusive. On-Call Pest Prevention. Enjoy your deck and the rest of the outdoors this Summer with one or more of Eradico's programs MOSQUITO CONTROL • EXTERIOR TREATMENTS FOUR SEASONS PEST PREVENTION We accept VISA & MasterCard. Members of Michigan & National Pest Control Assoc. TM of Dow AGRO Sciences ERADICO PEST CONTROL CALL TOLL FREE 888-479-5900 Decorate Your Home Interiors by Colony Fill The Shelves Esther's Judaica ASK ABOUT OUR Preventive Maintenance Program • 24 Hour Emergency Service • 40 Vehicles • Radio Dispatch • Quality Installation (248)335-4555 12/31 1999 30 Orchard Lake Rd. • West Bloomfield panicky when we work with the kids," said Liz Grenda, 17, a Friendship Circle volunteer. Kalmanson said the girls were "all cheerful in the hospital and actually had a good time." Kevin Keane, public information director for Consumers Energy in Flint, said the girls' syrriptoms varied in severity depending on an individ- ual's weight and where in the house each girl was sleeping. The home where they slept was on Cloverlawn in Oak Park, and had been offered to the Friendship Circle for camp use. A Friendship Circle spokesman declined to give the name of the homeowner. An Oak Park Department of Public Safety build- ing code inspector will determine the safety of the home before it is rein- habited. teen sleepover that started with pizza and shopping at the mall ended with ambulances and hospital trips for 20 young girls early Tuesday morning as carbon monoxide seeped through the Oak Park home where they slept. The slumber party was part of the Friendship Circle's four-day winter camp, started last year to provide assistance to parents during the school break. Volunteers who work with special-needs children during the day spend their off-hours togeth- er in fun and camaraderie at their own camp of sorts. Devorah Kalmanson, volunteer coordinator of the West Bloomfield group with Nechama Yarmush, said the girls woke up with Kevin Keane, public information director symptoms ranging from for. Consumers Energy in Flint, suggests headaches to vomiting to safety steps for suspected carbon monox- faintness, all indications of ide inhalation: carbon monoxide poisoning. 1. Evacuate the premises. Part of working with spe- 2. Seek immediate medical help. cial-needs kids is learning how 3. Phone Consumers Energy or a quali- not to panic, Kalmanson said, fied appliance repair company. so she and Yarmush directed If there is no concern of danger: the girls to a warm van and 1. Try to determine the source of the leak called 911. "God gives you (carbon monoxide may come from appli- strength when needed, helping ances or a running car). you take control," she said. 2. Open windows and turn , the thermo- Both she and Yarmush also stat to its lowest setting. experienced poisoning symp- 3. Turn off unvented fuel-burning appli- toms. ances, such as space heaters. Volunteer Chavie 4. Turn water to its lowest setting. Wexelberg-Clouser, 14, 5. Check for soot at the bottom of the thought it was a joke to be furnace, an indication of a leak. awakened so loudly and early. While neighbors came run- ning to help, ambulances and gas and electric company workers Lt. John McNeilance said the Oak pulled up to the residence. Park Police and Fire Dept. responded As a precaution, all the girls, ages to a 911 call regarding two young 12 to 17, were transported by ambu- women who were vomiting from sus- lance to area hospitals, some taken to pected exhaust inhalation. Providence Hospital in Southfield, Keane said the carbon monoxide others to William Beaumont came through the vacant Oak Park Hospital in Royal Oak. After blood home through an attic blower, or tests determined the levels of carbon house fan. Installed for circulation of monoxide, each received oxygen. air in the summer, he said it is safe Within five hours all were released. to use when doors and windows can "Everybody was calm and handled be opened, pushing exhaust fumes it very well. We're trained not to be out of the house throu g h the attic.