HOUSTON — Veterinary emergency hospitals across storm-affected regions report a recurring and preventable tragedy: pets dying from carbon monoxide poisoning generated by portable generators operated too close to homes in the aftermath of major storms.
Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making it impossible to detect without a functioning CO detector. Pets, with their smaller body mass and faster respiratory rates, absorb lethal concentrations of CO far more quickly than adult humans — often showing signs of distress or collapsing before their owners recognize the danger.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that generator-related CO poisoning kills an average of 70 people per year and sends thousands more to emergency rooms. Veterinary data suggests pet casualties are significantly undercounted because animal deaths are not tracked in the same federal databases.
The CPSC recommends operating generators at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent, and never inside a garage, even with the door open. CO detectors should be installed on every level of the home and tested regularly.
Restoration contractors installing temporary power equipment after a storm should brief homeowners on generator safety and ensure CO detectors are functional before leaving a job site. Several states have enacted regulations requiring contractors to provide written CO safety instructions to clients.
