Patty: Welcome to CPSC’s Podcast for Friday, December 14, 2007. I’m Patty Davis.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is issuing a warning to consumers confronted with severe winter weather. When there’s a power outage, exercise caution when using portable generators. Joining me to talk about safe generator use is CPSC’s senior spokesperson Julie Vallese.

Julie, why is CPSC so concerned about generators?

[Julie]: CPSC is concerned about generators because it produces carbon monoxide, which is also called CO. From a portable generator this carbon monoxide can kill you really in a matter of minutes. Last year at least 65 people died from generator-related CO poisoning. Carbon monoxide is known as the invisible killer because you can’t see it or smell it. Running a generator inside your home or enclosed garage is equal to running hundreds of cars inside that same space in terms of the amount of CO that is generated. It’s deadly. And you shouldn’t do it.

[Patty]: Why is CPSC issuing the warning about generators now?

[Julie]: Well, many generator-related carbon monoxide deaths occur following winter storms, or ice storms when the power gets knocked out. Oftentimes consumers will run to hardware store and buy a generator. And we know that oftentimes the victims of generator carbon monoxide poisoning are first time users.

[Patty]: How can consumers use generators safely?

[Julie]: Using a generator safely is really pretty simple. First and foremost, a generator should be placed outside only. It should never be in a place that’s even partially covered. So being outside means not on your porch, not in your garage even with the door open, not even just outside the back door. It needs to be placed far away, outside, away from open doors and windows.

[Patty]: And definitely not in your home.

[Julie]: Definitely not in your home. Do not put it in your basement or any other space like a crawlspace even you crack the windows. The only place to put a generator is outside with all four sides exposed and open.

[Patty]: And how important are carbon monoxide alarms in your home?

[Julie]: Carbon monoxide or CO alarms are very important. Every home should have one outside sleeping areas. If you feel like you have flu-like symptoms but nobody has the flu and you go outside and you start feeling better, then you may have a carbon monoxide issue in your home and you should seek emergency attention for yourself and your home as well.

[Patty]: All right, thanks Julie. For more tips on generator safety, as well as information about recalls announced by CPSC visit www.cpsc.gov.

That’s it for this week’s podcast. Thanks for listening.

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