NEW ORLEANS — With Hurricane Francine having left much of southeast Louisiana in the dark, officials are reminding residents to keep safe when using generators.
Generator safety tips:
- Always follow manufacturer instructions when setting up a generator.
- Never use a generator inside your home or garage.
- Only use a generator outside in a well-ventilated area.
- Place your generator at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Double-check that the exhaust is pointed away from any doors or vents.
It’s important to take precautions when operating a generator because they produce carbon monoxide gas. Breathing in too much carbon monoxide could cause fainting or death. According to the CDC, more than 20,000 Americans visit the emergency room and more than 400 die from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning each year.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often flu-like and include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Confusion
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