Generator Safety: Carbon Monoxide Kills More People Than the Storm

Carbon monoxide poisoning from generators is one of the leading causes of death in the days after a hurricane — after the storm has passed, in homes that survived it. The gas is colourless, odourless, and it kills people in their sleep.

The rule, with no exceptions

Never run a generator indoors. Not in a house, not in a garage, not in a basement, not in a crawlspace, not in a shed, not under a carport or an open porch.
Run it outdoors only, well away from doors, windows, and vents — at least 20 feet, with the exhaust pointing away from the building.
A garage is indoors. An open garage door does not make it safe. CO accumulates in the living space above and beside it.
Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. This is called backfeeding and it can electrocute utility workers and start fires. Use a proper transfer switch installed by a qualified electrician, or run appliances directly from the generator.
Let it cool before refuelling, and refuel outdoors. Spilled fuel on a hot engine ignites.
Install battery-operated CO alarms on each level of the home and near sleeping areas. Test them before storm season.

Know the symptoms

Headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. People often mistake it for a cold or exhaustion. If you suspect CO exposure, get outside into fresh air immediately and call for help. Do not stay to open windows first.

This is general safety information drawn from CDC guidance, not medical advice. For any suspected poisoning, leave the building and contact emergency services. Full guidance: CDC — Carbon Monoxide.

Where this came from

This article summarises published guidance from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read the original at the source — it is more current than any summary, including this one.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention →

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General information, not advice. This is a summary of published guidance for Florida residents. It is not legal, insurance, medical or construction advice, and it is not a substitute for instructions from your county emergency management office, an emergency responder, your insurer or a qualified professional. Storm conditions, laws and programmes change — confirm anything you intend to rely on with the official source above.

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Generator Safety: Carbon Monoxide Kills More People Than the Storm

The rule, with no exceptions

Know the symptoms

Where this came from

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