Generator and Carbon Monoxide Safety After Storms and Outages

According to the CDC, “the most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.” The CDC adds that CO symptoms “are often described as ‘flu-like,’” so don’t brush them off during a power outage, especially if a generator or other fuel-burning device is running nearby.

The CDC also warns that “people who are sleeping, drunk, or under the influence of other substances can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.” Everyone is at risk, and the CDC notes that “infants, the elderly, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or breathing problems are more likely to get sick from CO.”

The CDC, CPSC and Ready.gov agree on a few firm rules:

• Never run a generator inside your home or garage. The CPSC is clear: this applies “even if doors and windows are open.”
• Place it outside, at least 20 feet away from windows, doors and vents, and from attached garages.
• Point the exhaust away from your home and other buildings.
• Use heavy-duty extension cords to connect appliances to the generator.
• Let it cool before refueling. Ready.gov warns that fuel spilled on hot engine parts can ignite.

Generators aren’t the only source of carbon monoxide during an outage. The CDC advises:

• Never use grills or other gasoline-, propane- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home, garage or carport, or near doors, windows or vents.
• Never burn charcoal indoors. The CDC notes that burning charcoal, whether red, gray, black or white, gives off CO.
• Don’t heat your home with a gas oven during an outage.
• Never run a car or truck inside a garage attached to a house, even with the garage door open.
• Have fuel-burning appliances serviced. The CDC recommends having your heating system, water heater and other gas, oil or coal burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year.

If your home is damaged and unsafe, the CDC suggests staying with friends or family or in a shelter rather than relying on risky workarounds.

Because you can’t see or smell CO, a working alarm is an important early warning. Agency guidance recommends:

• Installing battery-operated or battery back-up CO alarms near every sleeping area (CDC), and on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas (CPSC)
• Checking the batteries regularly (CPSC)
• Considering interconnected alarms. The CPSC says interconnected alarms are best: “when one sounds, they all sound.”
• Replacing your CO alarm following the manufacturer’s instructions or every 5 years (CDC)

The CPSC’s guidance is simple: “If you suspect CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately, and then call 911.”

The safest time to think about generator placement is before a storm, not in the dark after one. Pick a spot outdoors that keeps the generator well away from windows, doors and vents, test your CO alarms, and stock extra batteries. If someone in your home uses electrically powered medical equipment, Ready.gov recommends talking with a health care provider about a plan for power outages.

Republic EMS serves communities across Greater Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Beaumont and surrounding areas, many of which face storms and outages. A few minutes of planning can help keep your household safe when the lights go out.