How do portable generators cause carbon monoxide deaths and how do I use one safely?

Portable Generator Carbon Monoxide Safety for New Brunswick

Carbon monoxide (CO) from portable generators kills Canadians every year, and the risk is highest during winter power outages — exactly when New Brunswick residents rely on generators most. This is preventable with proper use.

Why Generators Produce CO

Portable generators burn gasoline (or propane/dual fuel) in an internal combustion engine. The exhaust contains carbon monoxide — a colourless, odourless gas that displaces oxygen in your blood. You can't see it, smell it, or taste it.

A single portable generator produces CO concentrations equivalent to hundreds of idling cars. A typical 5,000-watt generator produces enough CO to reach lethal levels in a closed garage in under 5 minutes.

How CO Poisoning Happens During NB Outages

The pattern is tragically predictable:

Ice storm or major wind event knocks out power

Homeowner starts a portable generator

Generator is placed in the garage (with the door closed or partially open), in the basement, on the porch, or just outside an open window

CO enters the home through doors, windows, vents, or the attached garage connection

Occupants develop headache, dizziness, and nausea — but may attribute symptoms to stress or illness

Within hours (or less), CO levels become lethal

This happens in New Brunswick. After major storms, NB hospitals report CO poisoning cases every time — including fatalities.

Generator Placement Rules

The only safe location for a running portable generator:

• OUTDOORS


• At least 6 metres (20 feet) from any door, window, or vent


• With the exhaust pointed AWAY from the house


• Never in a garage, even with the door open


• Never in a basement, crawl space, or enclosed porch


• Never under a carport or overhang where CO can accumulate

The 6-metre rule comes from CPSC testing showing CO can travel through open windows and doors and build to dangerous levels at shorter distances.

CO Detector Requirements

The NB Building Code requires CO detectors in homes with fuel-burning appliances. During a power outage with a generator running:

• Battery-operated CO detectors continue working during outages — verify yours has fresh batteries
• Hardwired CO detectors with battery backup also continue working
• Plug-in CO detectors without battery backup do NOT work during outages — which is exactly when you need them most

Place CO detectors on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Cost: $25–$50 each at any NB hardware store. Combination smoke/CO detectors serve double duty.

If You Suspect CO Poisoning

Symptoms (in order of severity):

• Headache, dizziness, weakness


• Nausea, vomiting, confusion


• Loss of consciousness


• Death

If your CO detector alarms or anyone shows symptoms:

Get everyone out of the house immediately — including pets

Call 911 from outside

Do NOT re-enter the home to turn off the generator

Open doors and windows if you can do so without going deep into the house

Get fresh air immediately — CO poisoning reverses with oxygen

Go to the emergency room even if symptoms improve — delayed effects can be serious

Safe Generator Operation Checklist

Place outdoors, 6+ metres from any opening — yes, even in a blizzard. A generator getting snow on it is fine. A generator killing your family is not.

Use heavy-duty outdoor extension cords — rated for the generator's output (typically 30A). Run cords through a cracked window or door to the items you need to power.

Never backfeed through your panel — connecting a generator directly to your panel without a transfer switch energizes the utility lines and can electrocute NB Power workers. It's also illegal.

Install a transfer switch — a licensed electrician installs this at your panel ($800–$1,500). It safely connects the generator to selected circuits and prevents backfeed.

Run the generator on a dry surface — use a canopy or generator tent ($50–$100) for rain and snow protection. Never run in standing water.

Refuel when the generator is OFF and cool — gasoline spilled on a hot engine ignites instantly. Shut down, wait 5–10 minutes, then refuel.

Don't store fuel indoors — keep gasoline in approved containers in a ventilated shed or detached garage, away from any ignition source.

Transfer Switch: The Proper Solution

A transfer switch ($800–$1,500 installed by a TSANB-licensed electrician) eliminates the temptation to run the generator in the garage with cords running inside. The generator connects to an outdoor inlet box on the exterior of your home, and the transfer switch routes power to selected circuits safely.

Types:

• Manual transfer switch ($300–$600 for the switch, plus $500–$900 installation): You physically flip switches to select which circuits get generator power


• Interlock kit ($100–$200 plus installation): A mechanical device on your panel that prevents the main breaker and generator breaker from being on simultaneously. Cheaper but less convenient.

The Bottom Line

A portable generator is a valuable tool during NB's frequent power outages. But it must be used outdoors, far from the house, with proper CO detection inside. The combination of a transfer switch, outdoor placement, and battery-operated CO detectors makes generator use safe and convenient. The investment of $1,000–$2,000 for a transfer switch and CO detectors is life insurance in the most literal sense.

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