How To Avoid Generator Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Many communities affected by Hurricane Irma are still without electricity, which means that more households are turning to gas generators for backup power. And while power outages come with their own set of risks, misuse of these gasoline generators has already proven to be fatal.

Three Orlando residents died this week from carbon monoxide poisoning, and four were hospitalized after rescuers discovered a portable gasoline generator running inside their home.

Using your generator indoors is incredibly dangerous, because its exhaust emits undetectable carbon monoxide that will kill you in minutes, but there are other examples of misuse that can be just as deadly. Here are the precautions you need to be taking in order to keep your house and family safe.

Watch: How To Stay Safe While Using A Generator

1. A generator should only be used in well-ventilated, outdoor locations. Keep it at least 5 feet away from all doors, windows and vents.

2. Never use your generator inside an attached garage, even if the door is open, as carbon monoxide fumes can still be inhaled.

3. Position your generator so that the exhaust is directed away from the building. That way, fumes can’t enter your home via windows, doors or any other openings

4. Always keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This applies to all situations but is even more important while a gas generator is in use.

Photo: David Goldman of the Associated Press