Generator CO Safety Check

Portable generators are the single leading product cause of carbon monoxide deaths in the United States. Between 85 and 100 people die each year from generator-related CO poisoning — and hundreds more are hospitalized. Most of these deaths occur during power outages, when generators are placed too close to the home or operated in garages, basements, or other enclosed spaces.

The core rule is simple: place your generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent, with the exhaust pointed away from the building. But power outage situations create pressure to cut corners — the generator feels too far away, the extension cord is not long enough, or rain and cold push people to move it closer to shelter. That is when the risk spikes.

This 2-minute safety check evaluates your generator setup and power outage habits across six areas: generator placement, enclosure risk, CO safety features, CO detector status, alternative heat sources, and vehicle idling. Based on your answers, you will get a clear safety assessment and a prioritized action list.

Critical warning: If you are currently running a generator inside your home, garage, basement, or any enclosed or partially enclosed space — turn it off immediately, open all doors and windows, and move everyone outside. Call 911 if anyone feels dizzy, has a headache, or is nauseous.

In 2 Minutes

• One portable generator produces as much CO as hundreds of idling cars — concentrations can reach lethal levels in minutes in an enclosed space.
• The CPSC recommends at least 20 feet between a generator and any door, window, or vent, with exhaust directed away from the building.
• A garage is never safe for generator operation, even with the door fully open — CO accumulates faster than it disperses.
• CO-sensing shutoff generators exist and are increasingly common — models meeting the UL 2201 standard are estimated to prevent nearly all generator CO deaths.
• Generators are not the only power outage CO risk — charcoal grills, camp stoves, kerosene heaters, and cars idling in attached garages also produce deadly CO levels indoors.
• A working CO detector near sleeping areas is your last line of defense if CO enters the home despite precautions.

What This Check Covers

• How far your generator is placed from the building and whether exhaust is directed away.
• Whether you have ever operated a generator in a garage, basement, porch, or carport.
• Whether your generator has a CO-sensing automatic shutoff feature.
• Whether you have working CO detectors near sleeping areas during power outages.
• Whether you use any other CO-producing equipment indoors during outages.
• Whether vehicles are ever left running in an attached garage.

Start the Check

How to Interpret Your Result

This check evaluates your generator setup and power outage habits against CPSC, CDC, and NFPA safety guidelines.

• Setup Looks Safe: Your generator placement and power outage habits align with CPSC, CDC, and NFPA safety recommendations. Your generator is positioned at a safe distance, you have working CO detectors, and you avoid indoor use of CO-producing equipment.
• Risks Identified: No immediately life-threatening practices were found, but one or more habits increase your CO exposure risk — especially during prolonged outages or adverse weather. Specific corrections are provided below.
• Serious Hazard: Your current setup or habits include practices directly associated with CO poisoning deaths. Immediate changes are required — specific hazards and corrections are detailed below.

Sources & References

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) — Generators and Engine-Driven Tools . Central safety hub: 'NEVER use indoors,' 20-foot rule, multilingual safety materials.
2. CPSC — Carbon Monoxide Information Center . 200+ CO deaths/year total, 85–100 from generators, 'one generator = hundreds of cars.'
3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Generator Safety Fact Sheet . Available in 7+ languages, 20-foot rule, CO symptoms, ~400 total CO deaths/year.
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Power Outages and Indoor Air Quality . Covers generators, cooking, heating, and lighting CO risks during power outages.
5. American Red Cross — Safe Generator Use . Developed with CDC/NFPA/CPSC. 20 ft from windows/doors, backfeed prevention.
6. Ready.gov (FEMA/DHS) — Power Outages . 20 feet from windows/doors/garages, CO detector guidance, evacuation.
7. OSHA — Carbon Monoxide Poisoning — Portable Generators . Workplace safety card, minimum clearance, never indoors.
8. UL Standards & Engagement — UL 2201: Portable Generator CO Standard . Two-tier safeguard: reduced emissions (max 150 g/h) + auto shutoff (150 ppm/10-min or 400 ppm instant).
9. NFPA — Generator Safety . Portable: CPSC 20-ft rule; stationary: 5 ft minimum.
10. PIRG Education Fund — Portable Generators Kill About 100 People Each Year . Consumer advocacy analysis of generator CO death statistics and industry compliance.