Generator Safety During Storms

With the disruption and devastation caused by Storm Éowyn in January 2025 and the expectations of more extreme weather, it is important to ensure you are safely prepared for likely power outages.

At its peak, Storm Éowyn caused around 768,000 people to experience a power outage. This led to many people using portable generators, which come with their own dangers, massively increasing the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. In England and Wales, approximately 30 people die each year from CO poisoning, although this number is likely higher due to the difficulty in diagnosing CO exposure.

The Risk of CO Poisoning

Carbon monoxide is produced through the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels, like gasoline, natural gas, wood, or charcoal when there isn’t enough oxygen during burning. This results in a byproduct (CO) instead of fully oxidised carbon dioxide.

CO is often referred to as the ‘Silent Killer’ due to it being colourless, tasteless, odourless and poisonous. If inhaled, CO can cause illness or even death by replacing the oxygen in your bloodstream and starving your brain and body.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning can resemble those of the flu. They include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Confusion
• Chest and muscle pain
• Shortness of breath
• Loss of consciousness

These symptoms may come and go, particularly when you leave the affected space and re-enter. However, if you suspect that you have CO poisoning you must seek medical attention, even if symptoms seem mild. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for a full recovery.

Safe Use of Generators

If you need to use a generator due to a power outage, take the necessary precautions to ensure your safety.

This means keeping your generator outside, on a dry, flat surface and protected from the rain. Most importantly, keep the generator away from any windows, doors, or vents to prevent CO from entering your home. It is also important to maintain your generator correctly – according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Detecting CO

Installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home is the best way to provide you and your loved ones with an early warning of rising CO levels in your home. The British Standard for the installation of CO alarms, BS 50292, recommends that they are installed in multiple rooms throughout your property. This includes rooms with a fuel-burning appliance or flue passing through, bedrooms and living areas where people spend significant time (e.g., living room, kitchen, dining room).

If you have fuel-burning appliances in your home, you must have CO alarms installed. Aico’s market-leading products exceed the stringent safety standards set by regulatory bodies. Our Ei208WRF Battery Carbon Monoxide Alarm allows you to wirelessly interconnect with your fire alarm system for full property coverage. Additionally, Aico’s Ei3028 Multi-Sensor Heat and CO Alarm contains our tried and tested thermistor heat sensor and our proven electrochemical CO sensor, allowing you to have full circle protection.

While the importance of installing CO alarms cannot be understated and it is just as vital that you regularly test your alarms. Aico recommends doing this at least monthly. You can test Aico’s alarms by pressing and holding the test button on the alarms. The blue LED will illuminate for approximately 3.5 seconds. Continue to hold the test button until all the alarms in the system are sounding. This will take a few seconds depending on the number of alarms and their locations in the system. Release the test button when the test is complete.

Find out more about how Aico products can protect you from CO poisoning here.