Carbon Monoxide and Video Games Don’t Mix

A new report is due out in the June issue of Pediatrics that shows an unexpected consequence of Hurricane Ike-sick kids.

According to the Houston Chronicle, after Ike hit, some parents put themselves and their kids at risk by using generators in their houses to power video game systems.

In the small sample of cases where researchers could determine why families were using gasoline-powered electric generators, which emit carbon monoxide, 75 percent of children were poisoned by devices running video gaming systems.

That’s some scary, scary stuff.

I understand the need to keep your kids entertained [believe me, I know!] and I can only imagine how horribly scary it must have been for kids and parents alike. I also understand the need to bring some normalcy back to the kids’ lives.

However, the first rule when using a generator is that you USE IT OUTSIDE.

You know I’m all for some video gaming entertainment but when the power’s out, your best bet is good ole fashioned card and/or board games.

Monopoly, anyone?

Image|DigitalJournal.com