Generator Safety: Carbon Monoxide is DEADLY
The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) warns community members about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. CO is found in fumes produced any time you burn fuel in cars or trucks, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. CO can build up indoors
and poison people and animals who breathe it.
The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.”
Breathing CO can KILL. People who are sleeping or drunk can die from CO poisoning before they have symptoms.
The CDC offers these precautions to help prevent CO poisoning:
• When using a generator, use a battery-powered or battery backup CO detector in your home.
• Make sure your gas appliances are vented properly.
• Never use a portable gas camp stove indoors.
• Never run your car or truck inside a garage that is attached to a house, even with the garage door open.
Anyone who suspects symptoms of CO poisoning should open doors and windows, turn off gas appliances and go outside. In cases of severe CO poisoning, call 9-1-1 for emergency services.
The following are safety tips from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office:
Generator Safety Proper Usage:
• Use portable generators outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 15 to 20 feet away from all doors windows and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Measure the 15-to-20-foot distance from the generator exhaust system to the building.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage even with the door open.
Apartment Generator Safety:
• Apartments: avoid using portable generators in apartment buildings or on apartment balconies.
• Portable generators should only be used outdoors in well-ventilated areas at least 15 to 20 feet from all doors windows and vent openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning may happen if a fuel burning device like a generator is not functioning or vented correctly inhaling high levels of CO can be deadly.
For additional generator safety tips from the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office, click here. Additionally, carbon monoxide (CO) safety information, can be found here.
The following oil and gas storage tips are from Harris County Engineering Department:
• Proper storage for disposal keep the lid tightly closed and place the containers in an area where they will not be affected by heat, cold, or moisture.
• Keep the product in its original container. If you need to transfer some of the product to another container, make sure the new container is properly labeled with the product information.
• Do not store flammables (gas, oil, paint thinners, etc.) next to pool chemicals or bleaches.