FEMA Warns: Dont Use Generators Inside The House
Release Date: September 17, 2005
Release Number: 1603-021
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BATON ROUGE, La. - Many victims of Hurricane Katrina are returning to their homes and finding themselves without electrical power. For residents purchasing generators to provide heat and electricity, the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn of the danger of running the generator inside the house or an attached garage or carport.
Bill Lokey, FEMA's federal coordinating officer and Jeff Smith, state coordinating officer for the Louisiana disaster recovery effort, advise residents that the improper use of generators, other gas-powered tools and pressure washers can have serious results. "The use of a generator or any gas-powered tools inside a house can be deadly. FEMA wants to warn residents that carbon monoxide can be a silent killer," said Lokey.
The CDC offers the following cautions on the use of gas-powered generators:
- Never use generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside, or even outside near an open window.
- If you must use one of these devices, use it only outside and away from open windows.
- Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas you can't smell or see that comes from these items. It can build up inside your home or enclosed space and poison the people and animals inside.
- Exposure to CO can cause you to pass out or die. The most common symptoms of exposure are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.
In addition, residents should make certain that their homes have a carbon monoxide alarm that meets current safety Underwriters Laboratories standards.
FEMA and CDC warn that there is also a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if gas ranges are used to heat homes. Additionally, space heaters can pose a fire risk if not used properly. The agencies urge residents to keep space heaters away from flammable materials. Space heaters should be turned off when no one is in the room and should not be used while people are sleeping.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Sep-2005 07:48:54