As Alabamians grapple with power outages this week, many are turning to generators for relief. However, while these devices offer convenience, improper use can lead to severe consequences.
According to a 2022 report from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 85 people in the U.S. die annually from carbon monoxide poisoning related to portable generators. The Alabama Red Cross reports a troubling trend of fatalities following storms and hurricanes, often due to inadequate ventilation.
Annette Rowland from the Red Cross of Alabama-Mississippi highlighted the risks: “Many people place generators in their garages due to lack of space. Some mistakenly believe that running a generator in a garage with an open window is safe, but this can lead to dangerous, if not fatal, exposure to carbon monoxide.”
To mitigate risks, the Red Cross advises operating generators on a dry surface and under a canopy-like structure to ensure proper ventilation. It’s also recommended to plug appliances directly into the generator when possible and to ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are functioning in homes.
Following these safety guidelines can help prevent injuries and fatalities associated with generator use during power outages.