The Consumer Product Safety Commission says whole home generators should be located at least 25 feet from the home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ken Pastorick says the new federal warning comes after the CPSC looked at several cases of carbon monoxide entering homes in southeast Louisiana following Hurricane Ida in 2021.
“You have carbon monoxide seeping into the home through the soffits and windows, and that can cause a major, major situation where somebody could get ill, or they could even die,” Pastorick explained.
Most municipalities require stationary generators, which supply power to the entire house when the power goes off, to be at least five feet from the home. But Pastorick says the Consumer Product Safety Commission is now recommending that whole home generators be located 25 feet from the home.
“So they’re at least a ways away from the building so the carbon monoxide doesn’t seep into the home,” Pastorick said.
The CPSC report shows carbon monoxide entered 105 homes in the days following Hurricane Ida. Pastorick says anyone thinking about installing a whole home generator to place it at least 25 feet from the home and if you currently have one, consider moving it further from the home if it’s located right next to the house.
“Increasing the distance between the stationary generator and openings into structures may reduce the risk of deadly carbon monoxide gas seeping into homes and, ultimately, save lives,” Pastorick said.
Pastorick urges homeowners with a stationary generator to have a working carbon monoxide detector. The CPSC report also urges manufacturers to produce generators with engines that emit less carbon monoxide.
