Power Outages
Carbon Monoxide After Storms: Generators, Grills, Cars, and Hidden Dangers
Carbon monoxide safety after storms and power outages, including generators, grills, vehicles, blocked vents, and battery-powered CO alarms.
Quick answer: Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless. After storms, the biggest risks often come from generators, grills, cars, and blocked vents used during outages.
Generator danger
Run generators outside and far from doors, windows, vents, garages, and attached spaces.
A garage with the door open is still not safe.
Other sources
Charcoal grills, camp stoves, gas ovens, and vehicles can all produce dangerous CO.
Snow, debris, or flood damage can block appliance vents and create indoor buildup.
Protection
Use battery-powered CO alarms and leave immediately if an alarm sounds or people develop headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, or confusion.
Call emergency services from fresh air.