Carbon Monoxide Safety in a Power Outage

Know where carbon monoxide comes from during outages, the official symptoms, why battery-backup alarms matter and what to do if you suspect exposure.

Every winter storm and every long outage brings the same preventable tragedy: carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from generators, grills, camp stoves and heaters used the wrong way. CO is a gas you cannot see, smell or taste, and it can overcome a household quickly. This page explains the sources, the signs and the steps to take. It follows guidance from the CDC and the Government of Canada.

Where carbon monoxide comes from

CO is produced when fuel burns without enough air. During an outage, the common sources are:

• Portable generators, including those run in a garage, shed, basement or near a window.
• Charcoal and gas grills.
• Camp stoves, camp heaters and propane or kerosene heaters not designed for indoor use.
• Gas ovens and ranges used to heat a room.
• Fireplaces and wood stoves with a blocked or damaged chimney.
• Vehicles left running in an attached garage, even with the door open.

The rules that save lives

• Never run a generator, grill, camp stove or fuel heater inside your home, garage, basement, shed or any enclosed or partly enclosed space.
• Keep a generator outdoors and well away from the house. The CDC advises at least 20 feet (6 metres) from the home, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents. Check the manufacturer's manual too.
• Never use a gas oven or stovetop to heat your home.
• Do not burn charcoal indoors, even in a fireplace that is not vented.
• Do not leave a vehicle running in a garage.

If you are considering backup power, a battery power station produces no exhaust, so it is a safer indoor option than a fuel generator. Compare choices in solar generator vs gas generator and the power station hub.

Know the symptoms

The CDC lists the common symptoms of CO poisoning as headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion. Because these look like the flu or tiredness, people often miss them. Several people in the same place feeling unwell at once, or symptoms that improve when you go outside, can be a clue. People who are asleep or intoxicated can die from CO before they notice any symptoms. Babies, older adults, pregnant people and people with heart or breathing problems can be affected more severely, so seek medical advice if you are concerned.

Install CO alarms with battery backup

A CO alarm is the only way to know the gas is there. In an outage, a plug-in alarm without a battery will not work, so pick a battery-operated alarm or a plug-in model with battery backup.

• Install alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas, following the manufacturer's directions.
• Test them monthly and replace batteries on schedule.
• Check the replacement date on the unit. Alarms wear out, and the label tells you when to replace them.
• Keep an extra set of batteries with your emergency kit.

What to do if the alarm sounds or you feel ill

1. Get everyone, including pets, outside into fresh air right away. Do not stop to open windows or collect belongings.
2. Call emergency services (911 in Canada and the US) from outside.
3. Do not go back inside until emergency responders say it is safe.
4. Seek medical care, even if symptoms seem mild.
5. Have the source inspected and repaired before using it again.

Staying warm and fed safely

Many CO incidents happen when people try to keep warm or cook. Use safer approaches such as layers, blankets, a single heated room and approved heating methods. See how to stay warm without power and how to cook without power. Also check that exhaust vents on furnaces, dryers and water heaters are clear of snow, ice and debris, because a blocked vent can cause CO to build up inside the home.

Review the wider plan in our heat and light hub.

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