Generator Safety Hot Topic

As Hurricane Season and the summer approaches, many residents buy generators and gas-powered appliances (such as grills) that release carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas, and is highly poisonous. The Health Department recommends that residents take these precautions to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

1. Never burn charcoal or gas grills inside a house, garage, vehicle, tent or fireplace.

2. Only use generators or gas-powered appliances in the outdoors – away from doors, windows, vents and air conditioning equipment. NEVER use a generator indoors – inside your home, garage, basement, crawl space,or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas -- even if you think you have enough ventilation. Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide from building-up in your home.

3. Follow the instructions that come with your generator. Locate the unit outdoors and away from doors, windows, vents, and air conditioning equipment that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

4. Install battery-operated carbon monoxide alarms or plug-in carbon monoxide  alarms with battery back-up in your home, according to the manufacturer’s installation instructions. These alarms should be certified to the requirements of the latest safety standards for carbon monoxide alarms (UL 2034, IAS 6-96, or CSA 6.19.01).

5. Test your carbon monoxide alarms frequently and replace dead batteries.

Remember that you cannot see or smell carbon monoxide and portable generators can produce high levels of CO very quickly. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air RIGHT AWAY. DO NOT DELAY.

If you have a poisoning emergency, call your nearest Florida Poison Information Center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call 911 immediately.