How do you use a generator safely and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning?

Generator and Carbon Monoxide Safety

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Quick answer

Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or charcoal burner inside your home, garage, basement or any enclosed space, even with windows open. Run generators outdoors more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents. Install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors. If you feel dizzy, headachy or nauseated, get to fresh air and call 911.

Why carbon monoxide is so dangerous

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning fuel. You can't see or smell it, and it can kill in minutes. The CDC notes that CO poisoning cases rise after storms and outages, when people run generators and heaters in unsafe places.

Symptoms of CO poisoning

The most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. People who are asleep or have been drinking can die before they notice symptoms. If more than one person or pet feels sick at the same time, suspect CO.

Generator rules

Run it outdoors only, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Never run it in a garage, carport, basement, crawl space or shed, even with the door open.
Point the exhaust away from your home and your neighbors' homes.
Let it cool before refueling, and store fuel outside living areas.
Plug appliances in with heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet; that "backfeeding" can electrocute utility workers. Use a transfer switch installed by an electrician.

Heating and cooking safely

Never use a gas oven or stovetop to heat your home.
Never use a charcoal grill, camp stove or propane grill indoors.
Use only heaters rated for indoor use, with low-oxygen and tip-over shutoff, and follow the manufacturer's ventilation instructions.

Detectors

Install CO detectors on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas. During an outage, plug-in-only detectors stop working, so choose battery-powered or battery-backup models and test them monthly.

If an alarm goes off

Get everyone, including pets, outside to fresh air right away. Call 911 from outside. Don't go back in until emergency responders say it's safe.

Our picks

Products we'd consider for our own kits, chosen for reputation and fit. We don't accept payment for placement. Prices and availability are set by Amazon sellers and change often.

Best for: Every floor

Kidde Battery-Operated CO Detector

A simple battery-powered CO alarm that keeps working during outages.

View on Amazon: Kidde Battery-Operated CO Detector (opens in a new tab)

Best for: Seeing levels

First Alert CO Alarm with Digital Display

Shows the CO level so you can catch rising readings early.

View on Amazon: First Alert CO Alarm with Digital Display (opens in a new tab)

Best for: Safe distance

Heavy-Duty Generator Extension Cord

A heavy-gauge outdoor cord so the generator can stay far from the house.

View on Amazon: Heavy-Duty Generator Extension Cord (opens in a new tab)

Best for: Indoor-rated heat

Mr. Heater Buddy Indoor-Safe Heater

A propane heater designed for indoor use with low-oxygen and tip-over shutoff. Follow its ventilation instructions.

View on Amazon: Mr. Heater Buddy Indoor-Safe Heater (opens in a new tab)

Official sources

This guide is general information based on public guidance from the agencies above. It is not medical or professional advice, and The Blackout Bunker is not affiliated with any government agency. Always follow instructions from local officials.