Public Service Announcement about generators

[Holly_Hobby]

If your power goes out, do not set up your generator in the basement or an attached garage, you will die. It needs to be outside.

6 people were killed here Saturday, including 4 children. The power went out because of a windstorm and the generator was set up in the basement.

[NutmegYankee]

1. It's been a nasty side effect of modern clean engines that people do this.

The older generators used to produce this sickening fuel heavy exhaust, which convinced people not to run them indoors.

[Old Codger]

2. In part

But I think that the older generations were much more aware of the deadliness of carbon monoxide, today's cars do not produce enough to be a serious danger anymore so the information is not as wide spread as it was years ago..

[NutmegYankee]

4. You have a point there.

Cars have the Catalytic converter, EGR, and computer controls knocking the CO levels down. At the same time, fewer people are exposed to the proper operation of a portable generator until it's a crisis event.

[Mariana]

6. It still happens that people die in cars of CO.

The engines still produce a lot of CO, but the exhaust systems are better and prevent it from getting into the cars - as long as the exhaust isn't blocked and the system is in good condition:

http://nypost.com/2016/01/25/mom-and-son-die-of-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-while-dad-clears-snow-off-car/

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/02/10/boston-boy-dies-carbon-monoxide-poisoning-after-shoveling-out-from-blizzard/dcSmZDfjRSohNDCsAdtBqM/story.html

http://www.wthr.com/story/29861041/coroner-18-year-old-killed-in-june-car-crash-died-from-carbon-monoxide-poisoning

[Old Codger]

7. they do

But not as often as it was back in the 50's and 60's I have monoxide sensor in my place and have just wood heat.

[kentauros]

8. However, I think people are more afraid of them getting stolen

than about the exhaust. They simply don't know much about exhaust anyway, but they also don't want to wake up to no power again, and no generator because some dick took it in the night.

[Old Codger]

9. Fortunately for me

I live in the sticks on Oregon mountains and have my generator in my shop about a hundred feet from my house so no worries about noise or fumes and it is locked up tight so no one is going to steal it either... But I do understand the concern in many urban areas..

[kentauros]

10. I don't own one because I live in an apartment.

After Hurricane Ike, those few that remained in their houses in the neighborhood seemed to share power if they had it. Plenty of extension cords snaking across the roads

[Takket]

3. And have a functioning carbon monoxide detector

[NutmegYankee]

5. Especially with a gas or oil furnace.

A crack in the flue or a blockage (like a birds nest) can cause CO to back up into the house.