Generator safety

Outside only. Twenty feet from the house. Exhaust away.

CPSC's placement rule is explicit and non-negotiable: operate portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet away from any window, door, or vent. Direct the exhaust away from the home and any other building someone could enter. Close windows and seal off vent openings in the exhaust path.

CPSC estimates that roughly 100 people die in the United States each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators. Most deaths occur in residential locations. The top triggers: weather-related power outages, utility shutoffs, and attempts to power temporary locations like cabins and trailers. Half of generator-related CO deaths occur in the four coldest months, November through February.

A porch or carport is not far enough. An attached structure of any kind creates a pathway for CO to enter the home through shared walls, doors, or ventilation. The 20-foot minimum assumes open air with no obstructions between the generator and the house.

An open door does not provide enough ventilation

CPSC has tested this specifically and is clear: opening a garage door does not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal CO levels from a running generator. CO is slightly lighter than air and mixes readily with room air. In a garage, even with the main door fully open, CO can accumulate to dangerous concentrations within minutes.

The same applies to basements, crawlspaces, sheds, and enclosed porches. Opening windows or doors in these spaces does not make them safe. The only safe location for a running generator is fully outdoors with 20 feet of open-air separation from any occupied structure.

CO alarms are essential but not sufficient. CPSC recommends battery-operated or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of the home and outside every sleeping area. A working CO alarm was present in only about 8% of fatal CO incidents involving engine-driven tools. The alarm saves lives when it sounds, but the placement rule prevents the situation from arising.

When purchasing a new generator, look for models with automatic CO shutoff features. Generators certified to PGMA G300-2018 or UL 2201 standards include sensors that shut the engine down when CO levels rise. CPSC estimates these standards can reduce CO poisoning deaths by 87% to 100%.