CPSC's Essential Safety Guidelines for the Upcoming Hurricane Season
As the Atlantic hurricane season commences on June 1, 2025, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is urging residents, particularly those living along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, to be vigilant about safety during and after hurricanes. While these storms can wreak havoc with intense winds and heavy rainfall, other dangers loom larger once the storm dissipates—chief among them carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which is a significant risk when people attempt to use generators in unsafe ways.
According to CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman, the aftermath of a hurricane does not mark the end of danger. Reports reveal that hundreds succumb annually to CO poisoning, with incidents frequently escalating when electrical power is lost and portable generators are misused.
Why CO is a Threat: Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, making it undetectable until symptoms arise, which can include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Tragically, individuals can become incapacitated before they even recognize these symptoms, putting them at serious risk.
When power outages occur during a hurricane, many people often resort to using portable generators. To mitigate the associated risks, the CPSC offers the following safety tips:
1. Outdoors Only: Never use a portable generator indoors, including spaces like garages or sheds, as CO can accumulate quickly, leading to life-threatening situations. Ideally, place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home.
2. Proper Exhaust Direction: Ensure that the exhaust from the generator is directed away from your home and any living areas. This reduces the likelihood of CO entering your residence.
3. Ventilation: While it may seem sufficient, simply opening doors and windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent CO buildup.
4. Follow Guidelines: Always adhere to the accompanying safety and operational instructions provided with your generator. This includes taking care during inclement weather, which may necessitate pausing operation until storms pass.
5. Maintain Equipment: Regularly check and update your generator to ensure it operates correctly when needed. Reliable manuals and labeled safety warnings should be followed closely.
6. Choose Wisely: Consider investing in generators with built-in CO shut-off features, which automatically deactivate the device in high CO situations. Generators certified to the latest safety standards significantly reduce risks of CO poisoning.
Installation and maintenance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can save lives. Place these alarms, either battery-operated or with battery backup, on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Interconnected alarms are highly recommended as they allow for a comprehensive alert system.
In addition to generator-related threats, there are other significant safety concerns to remain aware of:
In case of flooding, immediate evaluation of appliances is crucial. Do not touch any wet appliances still connected to power. It’s advisable to wait for a professional to assess and advise on necessary replacements of any gas or electric units that have been submerged.
If you suspect a gas leak, evacuate the building without operating any electronic devices and notify local gas authorities from outside the structure.
The CPSC continues to advocate for consumer safety in the wake of hurricanes, emphasizing that awareness and proper precautions can save lives during these challenging seasons. By sharing these vital tips with family and friends, individuals can reinforce safety in their communities and help minimize hazardous situations during potentially devastating storms. For more information and lifesaving tips, please visit CPSC.gov.
Understanding the Risks
According to CPSC Acting Chairman Peter Feldman, the aftermath of a hurricane does not mark the end of danger. Reports reveal that hundreds succumb annually to CO poisoning, with incidents frequently escalating when electrical power is lost and portable generators are misused.
Why CO is a Threat: Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, making it undetectable until symptoms arise, which can include nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Tragically, individuals can become incapacitated before they even recognize these symptoms, putting them at serious risk.
Safety Tips for Generator Use
When power outages occur during a hurricane, many people often resort to using portable generators. To mitigate the associated risks, the CPSC offers the following safety tips:
1. Outdoors Only: Never use a portable generator indoors, including spaces like garages or sheds, as CO can accumulate quickly, leading to life-threatening situations. Ideally, place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home.
2. Proper Exhaust Direction: Ensure that the exhaust from the generator is directed away from your home and any living areas. This reduces the likelihood of CO entering your residence.
3. Ventilation: While it may seem sufficient, simply opening doors and windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent CO buildup.
4. Follow Guidelines: Always adhere to the accompanying safety and operational instructions provided with your generator. This includes taking care during inclement weather, which may necessitate pausing operation until storms pass.
5. Maintain Equipment: Regularly check and update your generator to ensure it operates correctly when needed. Reliable manuals and labeled safety warnings should be followed closely.
6. Choose Wisely: Consider investing in generators with built-in CO shut-off features, which automatically deactivate the device in high CO situations. Generators certified to the latest safety standards significantly reduce risks of CO poisoning.
Importance of Alarms
Installation and maintenance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can save lives. Place these alarms, either battery-operated or with battery backup, on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Interconnected alarms are highly recommended as they allow for a comprehensive alert system.
- - Monthly Tests: Test alarms monthly, and promptly replace batteries as needed.
- - Immediate Action: Never ignore alarms; if they sound, evacuate the premises at once and contact emergency services.
Dangers of Other Common Practices
In addition to generator-related threats, there are other significant safety concerns to remain aware of:
- - Charcoal: Always refrain from using charcoal indoors. The combustion of charcoal generates dangerous levels of CO, and grilling indoors—regardless of ventilation—poses severe risks.
- - Candles: If possible, utilize flashlights or battery-operated lights rather than candles. In instances where candles are used, they should never be left unattended, and must be extinguished prior to leaving a room or going to sleep.
Flooding Concerns
In case of flooding, immediate evaluation of appliances is crucial. Do not touch any wet appliances still connected to power. It’s advisable to wait for a professional to assess and advise on necessary replacements of any gas or electric units that have been submerged.
Gas Leak Protocol
If you suspect a gas leak, evacuate the building without operating any electronic devices and notify local gas authorities from outside the structure.
Conclusion
The CPSC continues to advocate for consumer safety in the wake of hurricanes, emphasizing that awareness and proper precautions can save lives during these challenging seasons. By sharing these vital tips with family and friends, individuals can reinforce safety in their communities and help minimize hazardous situations during potentially devastating storms. For more information and lifesaving tips, please visit CPSC.gov.
Topics Policy & Public Interest）
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