While a portable generator can keep a home running during a winter power outage, placing it too close to the house can pose a serious threat to those inside.
Public safety officials in Mississippi say carbon monoxide prevention belongs on residents' pre-storm checklist, according to WGBC.
Here's what to know
Safe generator preparation for winter is part of the message Mississippi public safety officials are sharing for November's Carbon Monoxide Awareness Month.
Without proper precautions, portable generators can create a carbon monoxide emergency.
These units supply backup power to households when winter storms or severe weather interrupt electrical service, but they also carry risks, with carbon monoxide exposure chief among them.
Guillermo Rodriguez, a spokesperson for the Portable Generator Manufacturers Association, addressed the dangers posed by carbon monoxide.
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"Think about, heaters, boilers, furnaces, stoves. Those can create carbon monoxide, and carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas. This gas is known as the silent killer," he began.
"So that's why several organizations, such as the Portable Generators Manufacturers Association have initiated campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of carbon monoxide and how to properly safeguard against it," he added.
What can be done?
Residents should ensure that they head into winter already familiar with safe generator usage and operation, according to officials.
"Preparation and planning are very important. Knowing exactly which location to have that generator positioned, it needs to be far away from the house, as far away as possible," Rodriguez explained.
"There also needs to be planning to obtain carbon monoxide alarms. It is advised to have one carbon monoxide alarm in every room of the house and [on] every level," he noted.
Where can I learn more?
Planning for a power outage includes finding a safe spot for a generator and checking carbon monoxide alarms. These stories follow homeowners weighing exhaust risks, installation locations, and gaps in their outage preparations.
• A Pacific Northwest homeowner's proposed deck corner generator placement raised concerns about exhaust exposure.
• A homeowner with half an acre still struggled to find a safe generator placement spot.
• A generator owner's first outage exposed carbon monoxide alarm gaps despite years of practice.
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